Maize flour and cereals market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the maize flour and cereals market in Yemen experienced fluctuations. Production reached 584 thousand tons in 2018 but was challenged by reduced crop area due to economic shifts and migration, coupled with reliance on rainfall and weak agricultural planning. This contributed to a drop to 541 thousand tons in 2019, while imports rose to 17 thousand tons, partially supported by World Food Program wheat shipments from Ukraine. In 2020, production recovered to 555 thousand tons as government support for domestic agriculture aimed to reduce import dependency during the conflict. By 2021, output stabilized at 549 thousand tons, with persistently weak local production and a large food gap keeping the market reliant on imports.

A period of strong growth began in 2022. Production jumped 18% to 648 thousand tons, driven by increased investment in food packaging projects, a national food security plan that expanded grain cultivation in provinces like Marib and Hadramaut, and a ban on white flour imports that boosted demand for local alternatives. The market size expanded to 677 thousand tons. In 2023, production climbed further to 720 thousand tons and the market reached 755 thousand tons, supported by government efforts to stabilize supply chains and strategic reserves, even as consumer flour prices rose sharply due to inflation and currency volatility.

Production maize flour and cereals in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

In Yemen, maize flour and cereals production reached 554.6 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 2.5% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 583.8 thousand tons. In 2019, production experienced its largest decline of 7.3%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 13.2% rise.

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

Exports maize flour and cereals from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Yemen's exports of maize flour and cereals stood at 0.0 tons, showing no significant change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 98.9%, resulting in an average annual decline of 77.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Oman was the sole destination for Yemen's maize flour and cereals exports in kind, 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

In 2020, Yemen's cross-border shipments of maize flour and cereals were valued at 0.1 thousand US dollars, remaining stable compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 93.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -60.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Yemen's exports of maize flour and cereals in value terms were entirely concentrated on Oman, which represented 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports maize flour and cereals to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility throughout the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 5 729 tons and peaked in 2020 at 23 182 tons, representing a fourfold difference. In 2020, imports increased by 37.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 53.1% drop, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 194.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and India dominated Yemen's imports of maize flour and cereals in kind, together accounting for 81.7% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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 data indicates a volatile market environment with irregular changes. Import values hit their minimum in 2018 at 1 723 thousand US dollars and reached their maximum in 2020 at 6 746 thousand US dollars, showing a 3.9-fold increase. In 2020, imports surged by 163.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 with a 50.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (64.4% of import value), India (15.2%), and Egypt (6.3%) were the primary markets for Yemen's maize flour and cereals imports in value terms, collectively representing 85.9% of total flows.

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

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