WFP Libya Market Price Monitoring Report for April 2025

In April 2025, the WFP observed a 0.7% rise in Libya’s national Full Minimum Expenditure Basket to LYD 909.44. The eastern region witnessed the most significant hike, with increases in Ajdabiya, Al Kufra, and Benghazi influenced by trade disruptions and refugee influx. While western Libya recorded a decline in costs, the south remained stable. Food prices also saw minor growth, driven by currency devaluation.

In April 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) reported a minor increase in Libya’s Full Minimum Expenditure Basket (MEB), which rose by 0.7%, now standing at LYD 909.44. This change reflects ongoing inflationary trends fueled by the increasing costs of both food and non-food items across various regions. Every region has felt the impact, though the eastern part of Libya experienced the sharpest surge.

The eastern region now holds the title of the most expensive area in Libya, with its Full MEB jumping 4.2% to LYD 925.43. Major cities such as Ajdabiya, Al Kufra, and Benghazi saw significant hikes in costs, driven primarily by trade disruptions and the ongoing influx of Sudanese refugees. For instance, Ajdabiya’s MEB surged by 11.5%, reaching LYD 915.88, while Al Kufra’s jumped to LYD 1,130.91, marking a 6.7% increase.

Conversely, in western Libya, a decline of 1.1% brought the Full MEB down to LYD 858.26. This drop was largely attributed to price reductions in Zwara, which saw a major decrease of 11.2% after resolving temporary cross-border trade disruptions with Tunisia.

Meanwhile, the southern region exhibited relative price stability, edging down slightly by 0.1% to LYD 954.36. However, it was overtaken by the east in terms of cost rankings, with Murzuq remaining the highest priced area in the south, now at LYD 1,069.07, despite a negligible decline of 0.8%.

On food pricing, the national Food MEB rose marginally by 0.5% to LYD 793.71, while the Non-Food MEB saw a 2.1% increase, recorded at LYD 115.73. The inflation across these items is linked to volatility in the inflation rate, with fluctuations across essential supplies such as fuel and hygiene products, significantly influenced by a devaluation of the Libyan dinar by the Central Bank of Libya, which has dropped 13.3%.

The April 2025 WFP report reveals a nuanced economic landscape in Libya, characterized by modest inflation and regional price variations. The eastern region has become the most expensive due to acute inflationary pressures, whereas western Libya saw a decrease. The ongoing impact of inflation on food and non-food items remains a pressing concern, exacerbated by recent currency devaluation and local trade dynamics.

Original Source: reliefweb.int