Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Yemen, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Yemen showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 12 459 t, it grew to 14 775 t in 2019 before a slight contraction to 14 256 t in 2020. A significant expansion followed in 2021, with the market reaching 18 928 t. This peak was followed by a decline to 16 839 t in 2022, with a modest recovery to 17 154 t in 2023.

In 2024, imports of these products rose to 2 668 t, while exports surged to 2 604 t. The increase in imports coincided with market flooding by imported goods, which put pressure on local food manufacturers. Regulatory adjustments to import financing mechanisms in Aden also affected trade flows, and a sudden depreciation of the Saudi Riyal against the Yemeni Rial influenced the cost of imported goods.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

In 2019, Yemen's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats reached its highest level at 14 542 tons, following a significant increase of 19.7% that year. However, production declined to 13 715 tons in 2020, marking a moderate decrease of 5.7% compared to 2019. The lowest production volume during the period was recorded in 2018 at 12 144 tons. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Yemen exported 581 tons of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, showing little change from the 2019 level. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 706.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 100.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ethiopia was the leading market for Yemen's exports in kind, accounting for 85.3% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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, the value of Yemen's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports totaled 829 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased sharply by 841.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 111.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Ethiopia accounted for 85.4% of the total export value of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Yemen, with the rest spread across various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

Yemen's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats showed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 234 tons, but then jumped to 1 122 tons in 2020, representing a 380.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 30.3%. Overall, the gap between the highest imports in 2020 and the lowest in 2019 was 4.8-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (25.3% of imports in kind), Oman (19.1%), and Ireland (15.3%) were the key partners for Yemen's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, together making up 59.7% of total import volumes.

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 import value for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats experienced significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, the value was at its minimum of 280 thousand US dollars, but it rose sharply to 2 709 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking an 868.4% gain compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 80.4%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2019 was 9.7-fold.

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

Over 2017–2020, Denmark (17.9% of import value), the United Arab Emirates (17.7%), and Saudi Arabia (17.6%) were the top suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Yemen, with their combined share reaching 53.2% of total import value.

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

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