Libya’s imports of Brazilian meat declined in 2025, causing the country to lose its position as Africa’s second-largest importer of Brazilian meat products in 2024 and fall to fourth place on the continent.
According to data published by Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), Libya imported approximately 74,965 tonnes of Brazilian meat in 2025, a noticeable decline compared with the previous year, when it ranked second in Africa amid strong domestic demand for imported meat.
Despite Libya’s decline, total African imports of Brazilian meat exceeded one million tonnes for the first time, highlighting continued growth in demand across African markets, with annual growth reaching about 20.3 percent.
The decline comes amid ongoing debate in Libya over the importation of meat from non-Muslim countries. Libya’s Fatwa House recently renewed its warning against importing and consuming such meat, arguing that it should be considered impermissible and that “halal” labels do not provide sufficient religious assurance.
The Fatwa House said its delegation that visited Brazil in November 2024 observed religious violations at a number of slaughterhouses and noted that recommendations submitted to the relevant authorities had not been implemented, while meat imports from several countries, including Brazil, continued.
The institution also held government authorities responsible for the religious and public health implications of the issue, calling for a halt to the import and trade of such meat.
Late last year, the Fatwa House dispatched a committee to Brazil to review slaughtering procedures and the certification process for halal labels, amid Libya’s heavy reliance on Brazilian meat, which accounts for the largest share of its meat imports.
