Dried shelled legumes market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled legumes in Yemen expanded from 232.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 405.0 thousand tons in 2021. This growth occurred despite persistent shortages of agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, which constrained domestic production, and the expansion of qat cultivation that reduced land for legumes. The lack of effective government marketing policies led to stockpiling and lower prices, likely stimulating consumption. By 2021, a worsening food crisis and taxes imposed by Houthi militias on distribution channels slowed market growth to 3.8%.

In 2022, new regulations controlling food import and export flows reduced imports, causing a slight market contraction to 392.5 thousand tons. The market rebounded to 429.9 thousand tons in 2023 following the introduction of new quality and packaging standards for dried legumes, coupled with the revival of state-owned processing plants that boosted local production and consumption.

In 2024, a decision to halt imports of 13 agricultural product types, including legumes, was implemented, impacting import volumes. Throughout the period, the market demonstrated resilience amid supply constraints and evolving regulatory measures.

Production dried shelled legumes in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled legumes, 2017-2020

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

Yemen's production of dried shelled legumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 295.5 thousand tons, marking an 8.1% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 5.3%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 218.1 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 13.8%. In contrast, the most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a 25.4% increase.

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

Exports dried shelled legumes from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Yemen exported 359 tons of dried shelled legumes, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.7%, averaging a 2.8% annual growth rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was overwhelmingly the primary destination for Yemen's dried shelled legume exports, accounting for 95.4% of the total volume.

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, Yemen's dried shelled legume exports totaled 209 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value surged by 69.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Yemen's dried shelled legume exports in value terms, capturing 91.8% of the total.

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

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

Imports dried shelled legumes to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

The import market for dried shelled legumes in Yemen showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 14 417 tons, with the largest decline that year at 83.7%. In contrast, imports peaked in 2020 at 95 068 tons, representing a sharp year-over-year increase of 173.9%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 6.6 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Yemen by volume were the United States (31.9%), Canada (13.2%), and Turkey (10.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 55.8% of total imports.

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 market for dried shelled legumes in value terms was volatile between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was in 2018 at 8 653 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 83.1%. Imports then surged to a peak in 2020, reaching 61 076 thousand US dollars, a steep 574.7% increase year-over-year. The variation between the 2020 peak and the 2018 trough was 7.1 times.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States (32.3%), Turkey (17.4%), and Ethiopia (12.3%) were the leading suppliers of dried shelled legumes to Yemen in value terms, together comprising 62.0% 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