World Food Program: The cost of basic goods in Libya increased by 3% last February

The United Nations World Food Program said that the prices of most basic commodities in Libya are rising, with differences between cities in the east, west, and south of the country.

The UN program added in its report that the southern region witnessed the largest increase in prices during the past January and February, pointing out that the weak performance of the Libyan dinar against the dollar in the parallel market affects the prices of goods and services available to the population, and will lead to the erosion of purchasing power, especially for those with low incomes. .

The program recorded an increase in the cost of the food basket of basic commodities in general in Libya by 3% to 792.13 dinars in February, compared to 767.44 dinars in January. This is mainly due to the increase in the prices of eggs, beans and tomatoes compared to the same period last year, as the cost of eggs increased by 6%. %, beans 9%, couscous 4%, and tomatoes 17%.

The program compared the current food price situation in Libya and two years ago, showing a 14% increase in Libyan families’ spending to cover monthly food needs.

He continued that the cost of the food basket in the south continues to record the highest value at 866 dinars, an increase of 9% compared to the average in other regions.

The western region recorded the lowest cost of a food basket at 740 dinars, a decrease of 7% compared to the general average. The cost of the complete food basket, which includes food and non-food items, decreased by 4% from 946.6 dinars in February 2023 to 913 dinars last February, followed by the Eastern Region, where the cost of the food basket reaches 804 dinars.

The food program monitored a shortage of cooking fuel in Ajdabiya, Derna and Sirte, and Ajdabiya recorded a 4% increase in the cost of the food basket, reaching 827 dinars from 796 dinars recorded last January.

In a related context, the report said that the Libyan family receives an emergency cash value of $21 for food assistance per person and $105 for each family of five to meet food needs monthly, which is equivalent to 515 dinars.