Dried shelled chickpeas market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for dried shelled chickpeas in Yemen expanded from 38 680 t to 42 493 t. This growth was not linear, with a peak of 43 084 t reached in 2020 followed by a slight contraction. The increase in market size was partly supported by a rising import volume, which surged from 139 t in 2018 to over 2 300 t in 2023, supplementing domestic production which remained around 40 000 t.

In 2024, the market environment was shaped by significant policy shifts and economic pressures. The Houthi movement's ban on wheat imports aimed to alter the competitive landscape, selectively allowing new importers to enter the grain market, which could affect legume trade including chickpeas. Concurrently, a severe drought and declining soil moisture contributed to a reported 13% drop in overall grain production, while a sharp economic recession in Houthi-controlled areas reduced consumer purchasing power, impacting sales volumes in traditional markets.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Yemen ranked as the 17th largest producer of dried shelled chickpeas globally.

Top producers of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Yemen produced 41 324 tonnes of dried shelled chickpeas, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 7.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, overall production declined by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 38 541 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 17.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from Yemen

According to market research, Yemen did not export any dried shelled chickpeas from 2017 through 2020.

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 139 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 1 760 tonnes, representing a dramatic 12.6-fold difference between these extremes. The 2020 import volume marked a sharp increase of 182.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 76.7% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 347.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia, Bulgaria, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary sources for Yemen's dried shelled chickpea imports in volume terms. Australia accounted for 25.5% of imports, Bulgaria for 14.9%, and the UAE for 12.9%, collectively representing 53.3% 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, K $ US

Market behavior showed considerable volatility throughout this period. Import values varied 8.6 times from the low of 125 thousand US dollars in 2018 to the high of 1 077 thousand US dollars in 2020. The 2020 import value represented a sudden year-over-year surge of 469.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 77.0% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bulgaria remained Yemen's main suppliers of dried shelled chickpeas in value terms. Australia contributed 30.1% of import value, the UAE 15.5%, and Bulgaria 10.2%, together accounting for 55.8% 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