Cheese and curd market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The cheese and curd market in Yemen expanded significantly from 46.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 86.6 thousand tons in 2021, driven primarily by a surge in imports. Domestic production also grew during this period, supported by traditional cheesemaking practices in regions like Taiz, where local cheese is renowned for its quality and export potential. In 2021, plans for a new white cheese factory highlighted increasing interest in developing local processing capacity.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume contracted to 70.8 thousand tons by 2023 as imports fell sharply. Despite the overall market decline, domestic production remained stable around 50 thousand tons, aided by modernization efforts such as the integration of new technologies into traditional cheesemaking by engineering students in rural Taiz in 2022.

Yemen's traditional cheese sector, centered on Taiz, continued to rely on time-honed methods that give its products a distinct taste, preserving a craft that has endured even amid market fluctuations.

Production cheese and curd in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Yemen's cheese and curd production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 42 593 tonnes, marking a significant 19.7% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 40 052 tonnes, representing a 6.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Djibouti was the exclusive destination for Yemen's cheese and curd exports in volume terms, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Djibouti remained the sole market for Yemen's cheese and curd exports in value terms, representing 100.0% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 11 153 tonnes, reflecting a 13.1% decline from the previous year. The following year, 2019, saw a dramatic rebound with a 129.5% increase. By 2020, imports peaked at 36 882 tonnes, up 44.1% from 2019. Overall, the difference between the 2018 low and 2020 high was a substantial 3.3-fold increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Denmark were the primary sources of Yemen's cheese and curd imports in volume terms. Saudi Arabia led with 45.4% of imports, followed by Egypt at 20.0%, and Denmark at 14.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.6% 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

Import values exhibited significant fluctuations, highlighting a volatile market. In 2018, imports reached their lowest value at 18 817 thousand US dollars, dropping 55.8% from the previous year. By 2020, imports surged to 79 707 thousand US dollars, a remarkable 162.7% increase over 2019. The gap between the 2018 trough and 2020 peak represented a 4.2-fold rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Denmark were the main suppliers of cheese and curd to Yemen in value terms. Saudi Arabia accounted for 48.0% of import value, Egypt for 30.3%, and Denmark for 7.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 85.8% of Yemen's total import expenditure on cheese and curd.

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

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