LYD 130 Million for Nuts: What Libya's 2025 Import-Financing Data Show

Eight months and a LYD 130 million conversion

Nut-import financing reached a reported $22.4 million in January–August 2025—converted in the original analysis to roughly LYD 136 million—with a visible August acceleration. This is a cumulative product-level view, not evidence that the entire amount was wasted.

The headline converts $22.4 million to roughly LYD 136 million; it is not a second flow. More than half of the value reportedly fell in May and August. The bank shares were 26% for National Commercial Bank, 21% for Yaqeen and 16% for Jumhouria—63% combined. Those are processing-channel shares, not revenue earned by the banks.

What a per-capita comparison can reveal

At an assumed pistachio price, the total was translated into about 1,400 tonnes or 73 containers. A second scenario proposed 1,500 hectares—twenty 75-hectare farms—and an 8–10 year path to local supply. That is an agronomic hypothesis requiring water, soil, yield, capital, maturity-loss and price tests, not an investment conclusion.

A food category with a foreign-exchange opportunity cost

Free-text descriptions can group almonds, pistachios, peanuts, mixed products and other codes incorrectly. The financing figure does not establish quantity, arrival or market value without weights, invoices and customs clearance.

From approved value to market outcome

Rather than banning categories, authorities should make the allocation rule explicit and monitor concentration, supplier links and unit values. If policy prioritises essentials, the ranking and exceptions should be published in advance.

Publish monthly value and weight by nut code, importer, beneficial owner, bank, supplier, origin and execution. Show the conversion rate separately and mark cumulative periods so monthly and year-to-date totals cannot be combined incorrectly.

Two different investigations sit inside the headline

The first is financial concentration: why did May and August account for more than half the period, and why did three banks process 63%? That requires customer count, beneficial ownership, supplier links and monthly execution status. Timing can reflect stocking cycles or a few large shipments, so a peak month is a lead rather than a conclusion.

The second is import substitution. Pistachio trees take years to mature and depend on chilling hours, water quality, soil, pollination, processing and price volatility. A 1,500-hectare illustration can frame a feasibility study, but it cannot establish that Libya could replace the financed basket within eight to ten years.