Nova Agency: Italy Confirms Its Leading Trade Position in Libya, Ranking First Among Countries

The Italian news agency Nova reported on Sunday that Italy reaffirmed its position as Libya’s main trading partner during the first quarter of 2025. Despite a slight decrease in total trade volume, a study conducted by Italy’s foreign trade promotion agency “ICE-Agency,” based on data from the Italian Institute of Statistics (Istat) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (Tdm) — and reviewed by Nova — shows a strong and interlinked economic relationship between the two countries, although trends vary across import sectors.

The agency confirmed that total trade between Italy and Libya reached €2.12 billion in the first three months of the year, representing an 18.51% market share — a slight decrease of 5.37% compared to the same period in 2024. Nevertheless, this figure solidifies Italy’s lead, ahead of:

• Germany: €1.36 billion (10.61% market share)
• China: €1.11 billion (20.63%)
• Greece: €859 million (7.91%)
• Turkey: €840 million (25.6%)

Nova also reported that Italian exports to Libya amounted to €440 million, capturing an 8.35% share — a slight decrease compared to 2024. Italy remains the third-largest exporter to Libya after:

• China: €884 million (36%)
• Turkey: €750 million (34%)

However, it holds the top spot among European partners, ahead of:

• Greece: €293 million (+30.5%)
• Netherlands: €223 million (+152%)
• Germany: €214 million (+55%)

As for imports, Italy brought in €1.77 billion worth of Libyan goods from January to March 2025 — a slight decline of 2.49% compared to the same period in 2024 — maintaining a market share of 23.37%. This confirms Rome’s status as Libya’s largest partner, ahead of:

• Greece: 5.55%
• Netherlands: 4.22%
• Germany: 15.69% (down 55.9%)

Nova added that in terms of sectoral breakdown, oil continues to dominate, with refined oil exports amounting to €174 million — a 35.2% decrease — yet still accounting for 40% of Italy’s total exports to Libya.

On the other hand, the mechanical sector is seeing strong growth:

• Multi-purpose machinery: €56 million (+54.5%)
• Electrical equipment: €55 million (+79.2%)

This marks fertile ground for strengthening Italy’s technological role in the Libyan market.

The agency also noted notable growth in:

• Automotive sector: €16.8 million (+66.9%)
• Furniture: €6.6 million (+13.1%)

The chemical and pharmaceutical sectors also performed well:

• Chemical exports: €14 million (+36.5%)
• Pharmaceutical exports: €8.7 million (+22.9%)

As for the agri-food sector — historically Italy’s third-largest export sector to Tripoli — sales reached €51 million, a slight decline of 5% compared to Q1 of 2024.