A French newspaper, La Tribune, has reported on the challenges facing the establishment of the Juliana sugar factory in Libya. The factory, which is expected to be built in the city of Benghazi, will have a daily processing capacity of 2,500 tons of raw sugar. The project is a partnership between the Libyan company, Juliana Sugar, and the German company, BMA. The contract for the project was signed on September 17, 2026.
Libya is currently the sixth largest importer of food products in Africa, with sugar being one of the main commodities that the country relies on importing from global markets. In 2025, the country's imports of sugar and its derivatives reached $483 million. The Juliana sugar factory is expected to contribute to reducing the country's import bill, but it will still need to import raw sugar to refine locally.
The project is expected to be completed within 24 months, with the factory being built in the Juliana Free Zone, a port and logistics area designed to attract investments and facilitate industrial and commercial activities. The factory's production will aim to meet the needs of the local market, with future plans to export to regional and international markets.
According to Mohamed bin Attia, chairman of the board of directors of Juliana Sugar, the project's goal is to produce a competitive national product that meets the needs of the local market. The project is seen as a way to reduce Libya's reliance on imports and achieve some level of self-sufficiency in sugar production. However, the country's lack of large-scale sugar production, whether from sugarcane or sugar beets, means that the factory will rely on importing raw sugar.
Libya's sugar consumption is high, with the average citizen consuming over 30 kilograms of sugar per year, more than double the African average. The country's reliance on imports is expected to continue, with the Juliana factory being a step towards reducing this reliance. The factory's production will also create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.
The project is not without its challenges, however. Libya's agricultural sector is limited, and the country's climate and water scarcity make large-scale sugar production difficult. Nevertheless, the project is seen as a way to stimulate the agricultural sector and create new opportunities for economic growth.
The establishment of the Juliana sugar factory is a significant investment in Libya's food production sector. While there are challenges to be overcome, the project has the potential to make a positive impact on the country's economy and food security. The project's success will depend on the ability of the Libyan and German companies to work together to overcome the challenges and deliver a functioning and profitable factory.
Key points
- The Juliana sugar factory will have a daily processing capacity of 2,500 tons of raw sugar.
- Libya's imports of sugar and its derivatives reached $483 million in 2025.
- The project's goal is to produce a competitive national product that meets the needs of the local market.
