Milk and cream market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for milk and cream in Yemen expanded consistently from 426 thousand tons in 2018 to 582 thousand tons in 2022, an increase of 37%. This growth was driven by rising domestic production, which climbed from 424 thousand tons to 561 thousand tons over the same period, while imports also contributed significantly, peaking at 27 thousand tons in 2021. The market's growth rate slowed markedly in 2022, with volume stabilizing just above 581 thousand tons.

In 2023, total market volume experienced a minor contraction to 573 thousand tons. This occurred against a backdrop of a major government-led dairy localization strategy in Al Hudaydah Governorate, launched that year. The initiative, which included direct subsidies of 80 riyals per liter to producers, the establishment of milk collection centers, feed mills, and veterinary clinics, helped raise the number of local producers from 1,200 to 14,000 and increased daily milk output in the region from 17,000 to over 111,000 liters. Consequently, domestic production reached 564 thousand tons. However, a sharp drop of over 60% in imports, down to 8.4 thousand tons, offset this gain. The import decline was attributed to persistent economic hardship, the ongoing conflict, and high import costs, which restricted foreign supply.

The localization push continued into 2024, with reported daily milk production in Al Hudaydah rising further to 157,000 liters. Major dairy processors like Yamani and Nadfood committed to absorbing locally produced milk at set prices, while the authorities implemented stricter quality controls, including new standards permitting the use of vegetable oils and fats in certain dairy products. Economic constraints, including a blockade and high import expenses, kept import volumes low, reinforcing the market's shift toward domestic supply.

Production milk and cream in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Yemen's milk and cream production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 509.5 thousand tons, marking a 3.3% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 6.4%. The most significant growth occurred in 2019, with a jump of 16.5%, while 2018 saw no change in production levels.

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

Exports milk and cream from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Yemen exported 71 tons of milk and cream, showing little change from the previous year. Over the span from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped sharply by 96.5%, averaging an annual decline of 67.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen's milk and cream exports were heavily concentrated on Djibouti, which accounted for 85.0% of the total volume. The remaining 15.0% was distributed among other countries.

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

Yemen's milk and cream exports in value terms reached 97 thousand US dollars in 2020, with minimal change from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 94.9%, representing an average annual decrease of 62.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, Djibouti dominated Yemen's milk and cream exports in value, holding a 77.5% share. The rest of the exports were spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

The import market for milk and cream in Yemen showed an unstable trend over this period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 335 tons, while imports peaked in 2020 at 21 814 tons—a 9.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports surged by 79.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 28.7%, followed by the biggest increase in 2019, which saw a jump of 421.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia was the primary source for Yemen's milk and cream imports in volume, accounting for 71.6% of the total. The remaining imports came from a variety of other destinations.

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 milk and cream import market displayed volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 339 thousand US dollars, rising to a peak in 2020 of 26 336 thousand US dollars—a 20-fold increase. In 2020, import value grew by 251.6% year-over-year. The most significant decline happened in 2018, with a 58.7% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a surge of 459.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates together accounted for 95.9% of Yemen's milk and cream imports in value terms. The remaining imports were distributed among smaller markets.

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

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