Libya’s ‘green gold’ olive industry hit by export ban

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A Libyan man sorts olives in the town of Tarhuna (80 kms) south of Tripoli, on November 11, 2018. (AFP)
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Libyans inspect the production of olive oil in the Libyan town of Tarhuna (80 kms) south of Tripoli, on November 11, 2018. (AFP)
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Libyan children help harvesting olives in the town of Tarhuna (80 kms) south of Tripoli, on November 11, 2018. (AFP)
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Libyans inspect the production of olive oil in the Libyan town of Tarhuna (80 kms) south of Tripoli, on November 11, 2018. (AFP)
Updated 27 December 2018
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Libya’s ‘green gold’ olive industry hit by export ban

  • Exports of Libya’s most emblematic products — namely dates, honey and olive oil — have been halted since 2017
  • Only two percent of Libya’s 1.7 million square kilometers is arable land, in a country famed for vast swathes of desert

TARHUNA, Libya: Stretching as far as the eye can see, groves of gnarled olive trees in northwest Libya have proudly withstood the country’s devastating conflicts.
But the industry of extracting olive oil, often dubbed “green gold,” is now under threat after Libyan authorities halted exports in a bid to “protect” local produce.
Libya has depended heavily on exports of its ample crude oil reserves since the 2011 fall of longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
The North African nation, mired in bitter internal conflicts since Qaddafi’s ouster, has failed to diversify its economy despite the enormous potential of its tourism and fisheries industries. Authorities repeatedly express their desire to develop the promising olive oil industry. But in Tarhuna, farmers and workers at olive presses view such pledges with skepticism. “We constantly have problems getting spare parts, which are getting expensive because of the collapse of the dinar against the dollar, but also because of the cost of the oil extraction process,” said Zahri Al-Bahri, owner of a press in Tarhuna. On his farm, olives heavy with oil are harvested by hand in order not to damage the trees.
Laid out on huge sheets, the ripened crop is transported in flour sacks to the presses where their rich, redolent oil is carefully extracted.
“There is enough production in Libya,” said Bahri. “I don’t understand why we can’t export anymore.” Exports of Libya’s most emblematic products — namely dates, honey and olive oil — have been halted since 2017. A decree at the time said the suspension would be “temporary” to meet domestic market needs.
But no date has yet been set to resume exports. Justifying the ban, an official in the agriculture ministry said produce had been “exported in bulk at low prices and without adding value for the Libyan economy,” leaving domestic demand for oil to be met by expensive imports.
Frustrated farmers continue to grapple with a dearth of specialized bottling and packaging plants, leaving them unable to climb the value chain.

Although olive trees have grown on the Libyan coast for centuries, most of the current groves were planted by Italian settlers in the 1930s.
“My farm has existed for almost 90 years when Italians occupied Libya and brought the land back to life,” Ali Al-Nuri, a farm owner in Tarhuna, told AFP, posing proudly in a grove. Libya, the 11th largest olive producer in the world, grows around 150,000 tons of the crop annually.
But only 20 percent is turned into oil, well behind neighbors Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
Nuri emphasises the industry requires more attention and resources to prosper, beginning with better irrigation in this desert region, as well as state help to ensure quality control and set up bottling factories. And while cheaper, imported alternatives to olive oil — such as corn oil — have become part of Libyan cuisine, “olive oil remains (the) paramount” choice among householders, Nuri said.
Olive trees, he recalled, had “saved” Libyans during lean periods before the discovery of crude oil in the late 1950s. The olive tree was a “nourishing mother,” he maintained.
Among the hundreds of olive trees on Nuri’s vast farm, there is a particularly rare variety — white olives. Originating in Tuscany in northern Italy, the tree — known as olea leucocarpa — grows olives that keep their light color even when ripe. But Tarhuna only has five or six specimens, planted by the Italians.
In the absence of scalable production, the white olives — sweet, with a low acidic content and a distinct scent — are mixed with their bog-standard cousins to produce oil.

Only two percent of Libya’s 1.7 million square kilometers (650,000 square miles) is arable land, in a country famed for vast swathes of desert.
It boasts more than eight million olive trees, according to the agriculture ministry. To the east of Tarhuna lies the Msallata region known for its centuries-old olive trees that yield distinct sweet and strong-tasting oil. But it has been hit by urbanization in recent decades. Cutting down olive trees had been strictly forbidden before Qaddafi came to power in 1969, said Mokhtar Ali, whose farm includes 600-year-old specimens. And the chaos that has engulfed the country since Qaddafi’s fall has further diminished the stock of trees.
Nowadays “olive trees are torn up with impunity to make charcoal or to replace with concrete,” Ali said.
But he remains optimistic, seeing a silver lining in attempts by several farmers to preserve the country’s heritage, by either planting native species or importing new trees from Spain.


UAE, China lead Saudi Arabia’s Non-oil exports in October

Updated 26 December 2024
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UAE, China lead Saudi Arabia’s Non-oil exports in October

  • China was the second-largest destination for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports during the month, receiving shipments worth SR2.35 billion
  • King Fahad Industrial Sea Port in Jubail was the top exit point, processing exports valued at SR3.77 billion

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports surged in October, with the UAE and China emerging as the Kingdom’s top trading partners, showcasing its ongoing efforts to diversify the economy under Vision 2030.

Outbound shipments to the UAE reached SR5.86 billion ($1.56 billion), a rise of 54.2 percent compared to the same month last year, according to the latest report by the General Authority for Statistics. Mechanical and electrical equipment topped the list of exports to the UAE, valued at SR3.11 billion, followed by transport parts worth SR713.5 million and chemical products at SR503.8 million.

China was the second-largest destination for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports during the month, receiving shipments worth SR2.35 billion. Chemical products accounted for SR826.3 million of these exports, followed by plastic and rubber goods valued at SR795.1 million. Mineral products worth SR300.5 million were also exported to China in October.

Strengthening the non-oil sector is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to reduce the Kingdom’s reliance on crude revenues. The initiative has been a key driver of economic policy since its launch in 2016, and officials have pointed to tangible progress in this direction.

Speaking at the World Economic Conference in Riyadh last month, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal Al-Ibrahim, highlighted that the non-oil sector now accounts for 52 percent of the Kingdom’s real gross domestic product. He further noted that non-oil economic activities have been growing at an annual rate of 20 percent since the Vision 2030 reforms began.

This diversification push has been underscored by recent economic indicators. Saudi Arabia’s Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures business activity in the non-oil private sector, rose to 59.0 in November from 56.9 in October. 

A PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, and November’s figure represents the fastest pace of growth since July.

India was another key destination for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil goods in October, with exports totaling SR2.11 billion. Other significant markets included Singapore, which received SR947.5 million in shipments, and the US, which accounted for SR829.6 million.

European markets also featured prominently among Saudi Arabia’s export partners. Belgium imported SR820.7 million worth of non-oil products, while Egypt and Turkiye received SR808.8 million and SR767.9 million, respectively.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports reached SR25.38 billion in October, reflecting a 12.7 percent year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Export channels

Maritime routes continued to play a vital role in facilitating the Kingdom’s non-oil trade, handling shipments worth SR15.41 billion in October. King Fahad Industrial Sea Port in Jubail was the top exit point, processing exports valued at SR3.77 billion, followed by Jeddah Islamic Sea Port at SR3.53 billion.

Other key ports included Jubail Sea Port, which handled outbound shipments valued at SR1.86 billion, and King Abdulaziz Sea Port, which processed SR2.36 billion worth of exports.

Land routes accounted for SR5.20 billion of non-oil exports, while air shipments contributed SR4.75 billion. Among airports, King Khalid International in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International in Jeddah handled exports valued at SR2.25 billion and SR2.38 billion, respectively.

Imports trends

While non-oil exports experienced robust growth, Saudi Arabia’s imports declined by 3.8 percent year on year to SR72.01 billion in October. Machinery and equipment topped the list of imported goods, comprising 25.7 percent of total imports and reflecting a 6.9 percent annual increase.

However, transportation equipment imports fell sharply by 21.6 percent, accounting for 15.3 percent of total imports. This decline in transport-related imports highlights shifting priorities in the Kingdom’s procurement patterns as it continues to diversify its economy.

China remained the Kingdom’s largest source of imports, supplying goods worth SR17.58 billion in October. These included mechanical and electrical equipment valued at SR7.54 billion, transport equipment at SR2.28 billion, and base metal products at SR1.73 billion.

The US was the second-largest source of imports, with shipments totaling SR5.69 billion, followed by the UAE at SR4.34 billion. Other notable trading partners included India, which supplied goods worth SR4.11 billion, and Germany, which accounted for SR3.21 billion in imports.

Saudi Arabia’s sea routes handled 60.6 percent of its total imports in October, amounting to SR43.67 billion. King Abdulaziz Sea Port in Dammam was the primary entry point, receiving SR21.16 billion worth of goods.

Air routes accounted for SR19.38 billion of imports, while land shipments contributed SR8.94 billion. Among land ports, Al Bat’ha Port was the most significant, handling SR3.84 billion worth of inbound goods.

Merchandise exports

Despite the positive performance in the non-oil sector, Saudi Arabia’s overall merchandise exports fell 10.7 percent year on year in October, reaching SR92.78 billion. This decline was primarily driven by a 17.3 percent drop in oil exports, which still account for a majority of the Kingdom’s trade.

Oil’s share of total exports fell to 72.6 percent in October, down from 78.3 percent in the same month last year. This shift underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to reducing its reliance on crude sales as part of its long-term economic strategy.

China remained the top recipient of Saudi exports overall, importing goods worth SR14.95 billion. India was the second-largest market, receiving SR8.79 billion in shipments, followed by Japan at SR8.70 billion and South Korea at SR8.31 billion.

Other major export destinations included the UAE, which received SR7.05 billion worth of goods, and Egypt, which accounted for SR3.49 billion. Poland and Singapore were also significant markets, importing SR3.43 billion and SR2.68 billion, respectively.

Saudi Arabia’s ongoing investments in economic diversification are expected to sustain growth in the non-oil sector. A recent report by PwC Middle East projected that the Kingdom’s non-oil economy will expand by 4.4 percent in 2025, building on the current momentum.

The report also noted that the non-oil private sector grew by 4.9 percent in the second quarter of this year, contributing to an overall expansion of 3.8 percent in the non-oil economy.

As the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 goals, non-oil exports and trade partnerships will remain critical to driving sustainable economic growth.


Oil Updates — prices edge higher on hopes for more China stimulus 

Updated 26 December 2024
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Oil Updates — prices edge higher on hopes for more China stimulus 

TOKYO: Oil prices edged higher on Thursday in thin holiday trading, driven by hopes for additional fiscal stimulus in China, the world’s biggest oil importer, while an anticipated decline in US crude inventories also provided support, according to Reuters. 

Brent crude futures rose 22 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $73.80 a barrel by 07:50 a.m. Saudi time. US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $70.34 a barrel, up 24 cents, or 0.3 percent, from Tuesday’s pre-Christmas settlement. 

China plans to boost fiscal support for consumption next year by increasing pensions and medical insurance subsidies for residents and expanding trade-ins for consumer goods, according to a finance ministry announcement on Tuesday. 

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have agreed to issue 3 trillion yuan ($411 billion) worth of special treasury bonds next year, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing two sources, as Beijing ramps up fiscal stimulus to revive a faltering economy. 

“Crude oil prices have risen this week, driven by news that Chinese authorities are implementing a record-breaking 3 trillion yuan fiscal stimulus to boost their struggling economy,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova. 

“Additionally, a decrease in US crude oil inventories, which indicates healthy demand, has also supported prices.” 

Satoru Yoshida, a commodity analyst at Rakuten Securities, said expectations of increasing fossil fuel production and demand after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month are also bolstering oil prices. 

An extended Reuters poll showed on Tuesday that crude inventories are expected to have fallen by about 1.9 million barrels in the week to Dec. 20. Gasoline and distillate inventories are seen falling by 1.1 million barrels and 0.3 million barrels, respectively.  

US crude oil and distillate stocks fell last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.  

The latest data from the Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the US Department of Energy, is due at 9:00 p.m. Saudi time on Friday. 

On the supply side, Libya's National Oil Corp (NOC) said on Wednesday that the country's average crude production in 2024 exceeded its target of around 1.4 million barrels per day. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892

Updated 25 December 2024
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index slips to close at 11,892

  • Parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28%, to close at 31,007.06
  • MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21%, to close at 1,493.74

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Wednesday, losing 21.63 points, or 0.18 percent, to close at 11,892.32.

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR2.79 billion ($746 million), as 132 of the stocks advanced and 86 retreated. 

The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 86.66 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 31,007.06. This comes as 49 of the listed stocks advanced, while 29 retreated. 

The MSCI Tadawul Index lost 3.16 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 1,493.74. 

The best-performing stock of the day was Al-Baha Investment and Development Co., whose share price surged 8.33 percent to SR0.52. 

Other top performers included Red Sea International Co., whose share price rose 6.32 percent to SR60.60 and Saudi Industrial Development Co., whose share price surged 5.07 percent to SR30.05.

MBC Group Co. recorded the biggest drop, falling 3.31 percent to SR52.50.

Bawan Co. also saw its stock prices fall 3.05 percent to SR54.10.

Savola Group saw its stock prices drop 2.97 percent to SR35.90.

On the announcements front, Saudi Arabian Mining Co., also known as Ma’aden, has announced ‎acquiring a full stake of Mosaic Phosphate in Waad Al-Shamal Phosphate Co. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the financial impact of the acquisition will be reflected in the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending Dec.31.

Ma’aden ended the session at SR49.20, up 0.61 percent.

Kingdom Holding Co. has announced the acquisition of an additional stake in xAI, with a total investment of SR 1.5 billion, as part of xAI’s Series C funding round. 

A bourse filing revealed that the transaction comes after KHC’s previous investment of the same amount in xAI during its Series B funding round. 

The move falls in line with KHC’s strategic collaboration with Elon Musk, and also follows its strategic stake in X, formerly known as Twitter, held since 2015. xAI is an artificial intelligence firm established by Elon Musk and a team of top-notch engineers to build AI to further accelerate human scientific discovery as a whole.

KHC ended the session at SR9.35, up 0.88 percent.

Bank Al-Jazira has announced its intention to issue Additional Tier 1 Sukuk under its SR 5 billion Additional Tier 1 Capital Sukuk Issuance Program by way of private placement in Saudi Arabia. 

According to a Tadawul statement, the bank has mandated Al-Jazira Capital, Al-Rajhi Capital and HSBC Saudi Arabia as joint lead managers and dealers for the potential offer. The filing further revealed that the purpose of the offer is to bolster the capital base of the bank, thereby backing its financial and strategic needs.

Bank Al-Jazira ended the session at SR18.64, up 0.21 percent.

Methanol Chemicals Co. has announced the approval of the Ministry of Energy’s request to renew the allocation of the required feedstock to produce several specialized petrochemical products. 

A bourse filing revealed that this follows the company’s Industrial Plot Allocation Agreement with Jubail and Yanbu Industrial Cities Services Co. in the PlasChem Park in Jubail (2) to establish and operate a Choline Chloride and Methyl Diethanolamine Methane plant.

Methanol Chemicals Co. ended the session at SR18.70, down 0.32 percent.

View United Real Estate Development Co. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Watheeq Capital to establish real estate funds to enhance investment opportunities.

According to a Tadawul statement, it will be valid from the date of its signature for one year, and will not be automatically renewed except by a written agreement signed between the two parties.

View United Real Estate Development Co. ended the session at SR68.50, down 0.70 percent.


MODON inks $453m in private sector deals to expand Saudi industrial cities

Updated 25 December 2024
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MODON inks $453m in private sector deals to expand Saudi industrial cities

JEDDAH: Saudi industrial cities are set for further growth as the sector's authority revealed it has signed 23 development contracts with the private sector, valued at over SR1.7 billion ($453 million). 

The agreements, announced by the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, or MODON, encompass a wide range of projects aimed at boosting industrial capabilities.  

These include the expansion of industrial cities, the construction of ready-made factories, the enhancement of MODON’s safety and security systems, and initiatives aligned with the National Industry Strategy.  

Additionally, the projects will address water and irrigation needs, improve water treatment facilities, upgrade electricity services, and expand road networks. 

MODON’s latest contracts highlight the growing role of the private sector in supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 goals, which emphasize economic diversification, local production, and the creation of an attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investment.  

The projects are expected to enhance the competitiveness of Saudi industrial cities, foster greater investment, and improve operational efficiency for businesses. 

The agreements will also contribute to regional development, improve environmental sustainability, and promote vegetation growth, MODON stated in a post on its X account. 

The development of these projects is in line with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to build a dynamic and innovative economy. 

This move follows a previous round of agreements in July, when MODON signed nine contracts valued at SR1 billion to enhance infrastructure and service facilities across various industrial hubs. Key initiatives from that round included the development of infrastructure in Makkah’s and Jeddah’s industrial cities and the installation of 132-kilovolt overhead power lines in Tabuk’s industrial city. 

Looking ahead, MODON plans further expansion with projects that will improve electrical services, such as the construction of 115-kV overhead power lines in Hafr Al-Batin’s industrial city. The authority is also focusing on enhancing infrastructure networks for the first and second phases of Dammam’s Third Industrial City. 

Since its establishment in 2001, MODON has overseen the development of 36 industrial cities and is responsible for managing both operational and under-construction industrial lands across the Kingdom.  

In the first quarter of 2024, MODON attracted SR3.4 billion in private sector investments, signed 142 new industrial contracts, and registered a total of 6,758 factories. 

As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, MODON also planted over 576,000 trees and finalized 335 logistics contracts, underscoring its broader environmental and economic development objectives.


2.25m freelancers in Saudi Arabia join national economy

Updated 25 December 2024
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2.25m freelancers in Saudi Arabia join national economy

  • The 25— 34 age group is particularly active in freelancing
  • 62% of freelancers hold bachelor’s degrees

JEDDAH: Freelancing is emerging as a key contributor to Saudi Arabia’s economy, with over 2.25 million individuals registered on the freelance platform by September.

This growth reflects the rising popularity of flexible work, supported by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s launch of the “Future Work” company in 2019 to enhance the freelancing ecosystem by promoting modern workstyles, including remote work and flexible-hour freelancing.

The company’s mission is to create more job opportunities, empower Saudi talent, and develop a labor market that complements traditional employment while aligning with global trends, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Freelancers make a notable contribution to Saudi Arabia’s economy. In 2023, the sector contributed SR72.5 billion ($19 billion) to the gross domestic product, representing 2 percent of the Kingdom’s total output. This highlights its role in diversifying income sources and strengthening the national economy.

The initiative, along with other efforts, has contributed to reducing the Kingdom’s unemployment rates. Saudi Arabia has revised its unemployment target to 5 percent by 2030, down from the previous goal of 7 percent, as part of Vision 2030’s ambitions.

The progress was highlighted by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi during a panel discussion at the Budget Forum 2024 in November, where he detailed the Kingdom’s strides in improving employment figures. Al-Rajhi said that the unemployment rate among Saudis was 12.8 percent in 2018, and it has recently dropped to 7.1 percent.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issues freelance certificates to individuals specializing in specific fields, enabling them to work independently in activities approved by the ministry through the official freelance portal.

A recent report from Future Work highlights the sector’s rapid development and its alignment with Vision 2030. The report also emphasizes the diverse nature of freelance activities, with trade and retail leading at 38 percent, followed by industry at 13 percent and business services at 11 percent. The diversity demonstrates the sector’s adaptability to meet various economic needs.

Freelancing accommodates individuals with different educational backgrounds. According to the report, 62 percent of freelancers hold bachelor’s degrees, while 31 percent have high school diplomas or less, and 7 percent possess higher degrees.

Technology plays a pivotal role in the sector’s growth, with digital platforms becoming indispensable for freelancers, especially in fields like technology, information, and finance. These tools enhance productivity and connectivity, fostering sustainability and success in freelance careers.

Geographically, the Riyadh region accounts for the largest share of freelancers at 27 percent, followed by Makkah at 22 percent, and the Eastern Province at 14 percent.

The 25— 34 age group is particularly active in freelancing, reflecting the younger generation’s growing interest in this flexible career path.

The report said that 3.2 million women have expressed interest in joining the freelance market, underscoring the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at enabling women to balance professional and personal commitments.

Government programs like Reef, the Social Development Bank, and the Human Resources Development Fund further support freelancers by fostering an environment conducive to their growth and success, SPA reported.