Salt, pure NaCl and sea water market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The Yemeni salt market commenced the period with production at 75 thousand tons in 2018. The sector operated under the impact of the civil war, which harmed modern salt facilities and the livelihoods of traditional miners, though salt extraction from rock mines in areas like Shabwa province continued as a vital income source for thousands. Production then surged by a third to 100 thousand tons in 2019, lifting the total market volume to over 100 thousand tons.

From 2020 to 2022, production retreated to its earlier level of 75 thousand tons before a slight recovery to 80 thousand tons. The market volume closely mirrored these domestic output changes, as the contribution from trade remained minimal, with imports and exports each measuring less than one thousand tons annually.

Entering 2024, the market context was defined by a general economic recession stemming from the protracted war. Business activity was hampered by fees imposed by Houthi militias, and weak domestic production persisted alongside rising prices for basic goods, factors which collectively pressured the stability of the salt market.

Production salt, pure NaCl and sea water in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

World map of production of salt, pure NaCl and sea water, 2017-2020

In 2019, Yemen's production of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water reached its highest level at 100.0 K t, marking a 33.3% increase. However, in 2020, production fell to 75.0 K t, representing a 25.0% decline compared to the previous year.

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

Exports salt, pure NaCl and sea water from Yemen

Exports in kind, t

Yemen's exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in 2020 amounted to 421.9 t, showing only minor fluctuations from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 34.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 13.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Yemen's exports in kind, accounting for 88.4% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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 exports of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in value terms stood at 63.3 K $ US, remaining stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 26.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia continued to be the primary market for Yemen's exports in value terms, holding an 89.0% share of total flows, with the rest distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Imports salt, pure NaCl and sea water to Yemen

Imports in kind, t

The import market for salt, pure NaCl, and sea water in Yemen exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 151.6 t, reflecting a 60.8% decline. By 2020, imports surged to 573.8 t, a 199.3% increase from 2019, reaching the period's peak. Overall, imports varied by 3.8 times between the minimum in 2018 and maximum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of salt, pure NaCl, and sea water to Yemen in kind were Saudi Arabia with 39.9% of imports, the United States with 13.2%, and the United Arab Emirates with 11.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 64.4% of total imports in kind.

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 in value terms showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports reached their lowest level at 41.8 K $ US, marking a 79.1% decline. By 2020, imports rose sharply to 353.2 K $ US, a 539.0% increase compared to 2019, achieving the period's highest value. Over these years, imports fluctuated by 8.4 times between the trough in 2018 and peak in 2020.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, the leading sources for Yemen's imports in value terms were Saudi Arabia with a 24.8% share, Oman with 22.0%, and the United Arab Emirates with 15.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 62.0% of total import flows.

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

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