Alliaceous vegetables market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Yemeni alliaceous vegetables market showed considerable volatility. After growing by 16.5% in 2019 to 230 thousand tons, partly due to efforts by public entities to organize the agricultural sector and mobilize local investment, the market contracted by 36% in 2020 to 147 thousand tons. This sharp decline coincided with the start of large-scale exports, which exceeded 99 thousand tons that year. Domestic factors such as the ongoing conflict affecting product availability and a growing consumer preference for buying vegetables directly from farms to ensure quality also shaped the market environment.

In the following years, market volume continued to fluctuate primarily due to changes in export flows. By 2023, a reduction in exports to 48 thousand tons contributed to a recovery in domestic supply, pushing the market size up to 197 thousand tons. This period saw noticeable price stabilization for vegetables in key markets like Aden, and daily reports indicated large quantities of produce, including onions, were available in wholesale markets.

In 2024, regulatory measures directly impacted the market. Authorities in Aden decided to halt onion exports to stabilize domestic markets, while the Yemeni Standards and Quality Control Organization issued new quality and packaging requirements for fresh vegetables and fruits. These changes occurred against a backdrop of a persistent shortage of fertilizers and agricultural inputs linked to international conflicts.

Production alliaceous vegetables in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of alliaceous vegetables, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Yemen's alliaceous vegetable production declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 222.5 thousand tons, marking a 14.5% increase from the previous year. In 2020, production stood at 221.7 thousand tons, showing only minor fluctuations compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 15.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Yemen in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports alliaceous vegetables from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Yemen exported 99 232 tons of alliaceous vegetables, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019 levels. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 16.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Yemen in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the dominant buyer of Yemen's alliaceous vegetables, accounting for 77.9% of total export volume, while other countries shared the remaining portion.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Yemen in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Yemen's alliaceous vegetable exports were valued at 30 653 thousand US dollars, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 156.8%, representing an average annual growth rate of 36.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Yemen in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, two key markets—Saudi Arabia and Kuwait—together accounted for 82.4% of total export value, with the remainder distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Yemen in value, 2017-2020

Imports alliaceous vegetables to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

Yemen's alliaceous vegetable imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports totaled 24 708 tons, then surged by 213.4% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 1 262.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 138.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Yemen in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates accounted for 71.0% of Yemen's total import volume of alliaceous vegetables, while the rest was distributed among many countries with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Yemen in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Yemen's alliaceous vegetable import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were recorded at 14 147 thousand US dollars, then saw a sharp rise of 447.9% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 1 113%, representing an average annual growth rate of 129.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Yemen in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates accounted for 78.2% of Yemen's total import value of alliaceous vegetables, while the remainder was distributed among many countries with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Yemen in value, 2017-2020