Milk market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Yemen expanded significantly from 2018 to 2023, with total volume rising from 339.6 thousand tons to 556.9 thousand tons. This growth was supported by a steady increase in domestic production, which reached 434.2 thousand tons by 2023.

Imports played a key role in market expansion, surging from 22.8 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 145.2 thousand tons in 2020. Although import volumes moderated slightly in subsequent years, they remained well above pre-2019 levels, contributing to overall market supply.

By 2023, the market had stabilized at a higher volume, with production continuing to grow and imports maintaining a substantial share. The consistent upward trend in both domestic output and foreign purchases led to a 64% increase in total market size over the six-year period.

Production milk in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Yemen's milk production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 388.2 thousand tons of milk, marking a moderate 5.0% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 16.7%, while the smallest change was recorded in 2018, with no significant decline.

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

Exports milk from Yemen

Exports in kind, K t

Yemen exported 2.8 thousand tons of milk in 2020, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 69.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 32.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and Djibouti continued to dominate Yemen's milk export markets, together accounting for 91.0% of total flows. Other partners played a supplementary role during this period.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Yemen exported 3.7 million US dollars worth of milk, staying relatively flat compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 65.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -30.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Yemen's milk exports in value terms were largely oriented towards Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, whose combined share reached 90.1% of total flows. Other destinations played a secondary role in the export structure.

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 to Yemen

Imports in kind, K t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 22.8 thousand tons, with a decline of 40.7% that year. By 2019, imports surged by 207.9%, and in 2020, Yemen imported 145.2 thousand tons of milk, reflecting a sharp increase of 106.7% compared to 2019. The gap between the highest imports in 2020 and the lowest in 2018 was 6.4-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen's milk imports in kind were highly diversified. Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia together accounted for 47.7% of total flows, with shares of 19.3%, 14.8%, and 13.6%, respectively. A long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 52.3%.

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, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2018, imports reached their minimum at 31.7 million US dollars, with a decline of 67.2% that year. By 2020, milk imports totalled 245.1 million US dollars, amounting to an increase of 360.5% from 2019. The variation between the maximum in 2020 and the minimum in 2018 was 7.7-fold.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. The United Arab Emirates, France, and Saudi Arabia together accounted for just 49.2% of total flows, with shares of 24.3%, 15.5%, and 9.4%, respectively. No single country held a clearly dominant position during this period.

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

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