Date exporters warn of consequences of export ban

A member of the Board of Directors of the General Union of Date Exporters, Ibrahim Nasr, has warned of the consequences of the continued ban on date exports, stating that more than 4,000 tons of Libyan dates remain stranded in containers, ports, and warehouses as the new harvest season approaches, threatening to worsen storage shortages and inflict significant losses on farmers and exporters.

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Nasr said the sector is facing uncertainty that could undermine the confidence of foreign importers in the Libyan market, particularly in key destinations such as Morocco, Türkiye, India, and Indonesia. He warned that if the restrictions remain in place, importers may shift to more stable alternative suppliers.

He added that an additional 3,000 tons of dates are still being held by farmers or remain at various stages of the marketing process, noting that storage facilities are nearing full capacity just as the new harvest season is about to begin. This, he said, raises the risk of overlap between existing stock and the incoming crop.

Nasr stressed that Libya’s date production exceeds domestic demand and that exports are the primary outlet for surplus production and the continuation of economic activity in the sector. He cautioned that maintaining the export ban could drive prices below production costs, particularly amid rising expenses for labor, fertilizers, and agricultural services.

He also noted that the impact of the decision would extend beyond farmers and exporters to affect transportation, storage, packaging, logistics, and other related industries, while also undermining economic stability in Libya’s main date-producing regions, including Al-Jufra, Al-Kufra, Sabha, and the Oasis areas.

The warning follows a decision issued by the Ministry of Economy and Trade under the Government of National Unity in April, banning the export and re-export of several agricultural and marine products. The ministry said the measure was intended to ensure the availability of essential commodities in the domestic market and help curb rising prices.

The Ministry of Economy told Al Jazeera Net that the export restrictions are a temporary measure aimed at balancing supply and demand while ensuring that local market needs are met. The ministry emphasized that safeguarding food security and maintaining price stability are current priorities, while reaffirming the importance of exports as a contributor to the national economy once conditions improve and production increases.