The World Food Program (WFP) has reported a slight increase in the cost of the minimum food basket in Libya for March, reversing a two-month downward trend and raising fresh concerns about inflation and currency performance.
According to the WFP’s monthly assessment, the price of the basic food basket rose by 2.2% in March, reaching 902 Libyan dinars, driven by food price increases across all regions of the country.
The western region saw the largest jump, with a 2.9% increase compared to February, bringing the average basket cost to 867.9 dinars. The rise was mainly attributed to an 18.1% spike in food prices in the coastal city of Zuwara, where the basket’s cost surged to 1,056 dinars. This spike followed the closure of the Ras-Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia, which disrupted trade and goods flow.
In eastern Libya, Al-Kufra remains the most expensive market, with the minimum food basket priced at 1,060 dinars. The city continues to experience rising prices due to a steady influx of Sudanese refugees, putting further strain on already limited local supplies.
Meanwhile, Murzuq in southern Libya recorded the highest city-level price increase, with the food basket reaching 1,077 dinars in March. This reflects the market’s continued isolation, lack of security, and recent military operations.
Despite widespread increases, the WFP observed sharp price fluctuations across regions in March. Some municipalities saw moderate to significant declines, including Sirte (-3.4%), Ubari (-2.4%), and Al-Bayda (-2.1%).
These regional disparities in food prices highlight ongoing local market volatility and uneven stability across Libya’s economy.
