Oranges market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

Yemen's orange market volume expanded from 109.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 157.6 thousand tons in 2021, a growth of over 44% across the period. This increase was primarily fueled by a surge in imports, which rose from 5.7 thousand tons to 28.0 thousand tons, while domestic production also saw a steady rise. During the initial year, the Marib governorate played a crucial role, with its harvest covering more than half of local demand and supporting exports, establishing a significant domestic supply base for the market.

The market trend reversed from 2022 onward, with volume contracting to 149.6 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 142.6 thousand tons in 2023. This downturn coincided with a severe deterioration in the country's economic and agricultural conditions. Key drivers included water shortages, climate change effects, the use of primitive farming techniques, degradation of arable land, and rising production costs. Furthermore, the ongoing conflict, coupled with the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, suppressed consumer purchasing power and disrupted supply chains, leading to a sharp 30% drop in import volumes between 2021 and 2023.

By 2024, the broader economic crisis in Yemen intensified, characterized by severe stagnation, a blockade on oil exports, and increasing international sanctions. These macro-factors continued to pressure the agricultural sector, exemplified by challenges faced by orange farmers in Marib who struggled with marketing their produce due to the lack of a central market and imposed fees on transportation. While orange imports showed a partial recovery to 18.7 thousand tons, they remained well below the peak levels of 2021, reflecting the persistent constraints on market activity.

Production oranges in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

Yemen's orange production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 119.8 thousand tons of oranges, representing a modest increase of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 103.4 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 3.4% that year. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with production jumping by 15.1%.

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

Exports oranges from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

Yemen exported 1 ton of oranges in 2020, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 99.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 91.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of Yemen's orange exports in volume terms was dominated by a single market: Belarus, which accounted for 99.9% of total flows.

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 orange exports in value terms reached 1 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing minimal change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 100%, equating to an annualized decrease of 92.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Belarus was the key partner for Yemen's orange exports in value terms, representing 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 oranges to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

Yemen's orange imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 23 180 tons, marking a dramatic surge of 143.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 348.5%, with an annualized rate of 64.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (42.9% of imports in volume), Saudi Arabia (29.5%), and Egypt (18.2%) led the ranking of suppliers of oranges to Yemen. Together, these three countries accounted for 90.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 291 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 41.1% that year. In contrast, the highest value was observed in 2020, reaching 15 471 thousand US dollars and marking a sudden improvement of 634.3% year-over-year. This represents a peak-to-trough ratio of 12 times between 2018 and 2020.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia remained the key partner countries for Yemen's orange imports in value terms, with a combined share of 85.8% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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