Beef, sheep or goat fat market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Yemen's market for beef, sheep, and goat fat expanded by over 30% in volume, rising from 10 378 t to 13 669 t. This growth occurred against a backdrop of persistent challenges including armed conflict, reliance on traditional animal husbandry methods, limited natural pastures, and significantly high feed prices. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further strained supply chains and consumer purchasing power, yet the market continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace.

A sharp deceleration in growth to just 1.2% occurred in 2021, driven by a severe contraction in livestock numbers due to the ongoing war, population displacement, and drought that reduced natural grazing land. A critical factor was the reported 400% increase in feed costs, which severely pressured herders' livelihoods and constrained production, leading to near-market stabilization.

Moderate growth resumed in 2022 at 5%, supported by efforts to train specialized agricultural consultants for livestock breeders, even as climate change effects and disease outbreaks like foot-and-mouth posed new threats. By 2023, growth was minimal at 0.6%, but the period saw the entry of a new player, Afaq Tihama Private Company, established to purchase and market local livestock. This was coupled with a policy mandating traders and importers to source 15% of slaughter animals domestically, signaling a structural shift toward supporting local production, though high transport costs, double taxation, and expensive veterinary inputs continued to weigh on the sector.

Production beef, sheep or goat fat in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef, sheep or goat fat, 2017-2020

Yemen's production of beef, sheep, or goat fat has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 12 788 tons, marking an 8.9% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 21.9%, which translates to an average annual increase of 6.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10 377 tons, when output declined by 1.1%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest jump, with production surging by 13.1%.

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

Exports beef, sheep or goat fat from Yemen

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, Yemen exported 420 kilograms of beef, sheep, or goat fat, representing a significant decrease of 83.5% from the year before.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Yemen in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, exports of beef, sheep, or goat fat from Yemen were dominated by two markets: Eritrea and Oman. Together, they accounted for 100.0% of total export volumes during this period.

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, $ US

Yemen's export value for beef, sheep, or goat fat stood at 427 US dollars in 2020, reflecting a dramatic drop of 89.8% compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Eritrea was the primary partner for Yemen's exports in value terms, making up 90.8% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports beef, sheep or goat fat to Yemen

Imports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Yemen imported 1 050 kilograms of beef, sheep, or goat fat, which was a steep decline of 79.4% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Yemen in kind, 2017-2020, kg

During 2017–2020, Oman and Saudi Arabia clearly dominated Yemen's imports in volume terms, together accounting for 90.7% of total import flows.

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, $ US

In 2020, Yemen imported beef, sheep, or goat fat worth 1 050 US dollars, down by 32.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 87%, with a compound annual growth rate of -49.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Oman and Saudi Arabia were the main sources for Yemen's imports of beef, sheep, or goat fat in value terms, jointly representing 77.1% of total import spending.

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

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