Dates market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The dates market in Yemen expanded strongly from 75 370 t in 2018 to a peak of 144 704 t in 2022, driven by a steady rise in imports which grew from 28 820 t to over 80 000 t. Domestic production also increased, supported by humanitarian aid distributions such as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid Centre's project that supplied 400 t of dates to local markets in 2020.

Market volume dropped sharply to 79 079 t in 2023, primarily due to a drastic reduction in imports to 15 114 t. This shift coincided with a government policy to develop contract farming, signing agreements with about 600 farmers in Tihama to market 5 500 t and with growers in Al-Jawf for 500 t, aiming to boost local production and curb import reliance. Severe storms that hit major growing areas like Hadramaut and Al-Mahra from early 2023 further pressured local supply.

In 2024, transport difficulties between provinces during Ramadan, caused by multiple authorities, rough roads, and anti-coronavirus checkpoints, disrupted dates availability and pushed prices higher. The focus on domestic procurement continued, with imports partially recovering but remaining below the levels seen prior to the policy change.

Production dates in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Yemen was among the world's leading producers of dates from 2017 to 2020, ranking 15th globally by production volume.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

In 2020, Yemen produced 64 331 tons of dates, showing only minor year-over-year fluctuations. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 33.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 10.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 46 550 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 64 375 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 3.4% drop, and the most significant increase was in 2019 with a 38.3% rise.

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

Exports dates from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export levels varied significantly, with a 1.9-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Yemen's date exports reached 35 tons, marking a sharp increase of 1 668.5% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Oman and India were the key partner countries for Yemen's date exports in volume terms, together accounting for 94.8% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports varied by a factor of 14.9, from a low in 2019 to a high in 2020. In 2020, Yemen exported dates worth 27 thousand US dollars, up by 1 390.9% from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Oman and India served as the core markets for Yemen's date exports in value terms, jointly representing 92.7% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports dates to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

Yemen's date imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 55 677 tons, showing a sharp advance of 45.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 111.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia almost entirely determined the geographical structure of Yemen's date imports in volume terms, with a share of 91.6% of total 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, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values reached their maximum in 2020 and dropped to a minimum in 2018, representing a 3.5-fold shift. In 2020, Yemen imported dates worth 29 088 thousand US dollars, a 154.3% improvement from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 258 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 48.0%.

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

In 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia was the almost exclusive supplier of dates to Yemen in value terms, accounting for 93.1% of total imports.

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

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