Russia has already exported 800,000 tonnes of wheat to Libya in current farming year

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Russia has already exported 800,000 tonnes of wheat to Libya in current farming year - Agroexport

MOSCOW. Feb 21 (Interfax) - Russia has already exported about 800,000 tonnes of wheat to Libya in this agricultural year (from July 1, 2022 to February 20, 2023, the agricultural year will end on June 30), the Agricultural Ministry's Agroexport center said in a review of agricultural trade between Russian and Libya.

Grain exports to the Libyan market have become more active this agricultural year, Yevgeny Zaitsev, head of the center's analytical department, was quoted as saying in the review. The catalyst was the increased supply amid a record harvest in Russia, as well as the competitiveness of Black Sea grain, he said. Wheat is emerging as a leader in exports.

According to the center, in calendar year 2021, barley was first in terms of volume of supplies from Russia to this country, with deliveries of 492,900 tonnes ($ 122.9 million) compared to 225,200 tonnes ($ 42.2 million) in 2020. Wheat exports stood at 373,500 tonnes ($108.4 million) compared to 170,700 tonnes ($37.4 million).

According to the review, agricultural exports to Libya in 2022 compared to 2021 increased by 79.5% in value terms due to an increase in shipments of grain, wheat flour and yeast. In 2021, the value of exports was $274.9 million (947,500 tonnes). The main commodity items in the value structure of exports in 2021 were barley (44.7%), wheat (39.4%), corn (6.7%), cigars and cigarettes (5.2%) and sunflower oil (2.1%).

Imports of agricultural products from Libya to Russia are practically non-existent.

According to the Center's estimates, the estimated potential supply of agribusiness products from Russia to Libya exceeds $500 mln a year. The main promising export commodities are cereals and legumes (wheat, corn, barley, lentils), yeast, sunflower oil, confectionery products, etc.

According to the Center's estimates, the estimated potential for supply of agricultural products from Russia to Libya exceeds $500 million a year. The main promising export commodities are grains and legumes (wheat, corn, barley, lentils), yeast, sunflower oil, confectionery products, etc.

According to the survey, Libya's low agricultural production rates make it dependent on imports. In 2021, for example, the country imported $4.2 billion worth of agricultural products, 23.5% more than in 2020. Meanwhile, the 2021 figures are a record for the 2017-2021 period, exceeding 2017 shipments by 38.1%. The cumulative average annual growth rate for Libya's agricultural imports for 2017-2021 was 8.4%. Wheat and barley are in high demand in the Libyan market due to the particulars of the local food culture. The share of wheat in Libyan imports in 2021 was 8.5% ($355.2 million), barley - 5.4% ($224.1 million).

In 2021, the top three agricultural exporters to Libya were the UAE with a share of 13.7% ($572 million), Turkey (11.4%, $474.7 million) and Ukraine (9%, $373.3 million). Russia ranked fourth with a share of 6.6%.