Wheat and meslin market in Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the wheat and meslin market in Yemen reached 1,695 thousand tons, with imports accounting for 1,613 thousand tons. The resumption of import financing for basic goods by the Central Bank at an official exchange rate facilitated wheat inflows, while a reduction in cereal cultivation areas due to labor migration limited domestic production. The market expanded to 2,098 thousand tons in 2019 and then jumped to 3,174 thousand tons in 2020 as imports surged to 3,045 thousand tons.

Market volume stabilized at 3,180 thousand tons in 2021 before rising by 11% to a peak of 3,532 thousand tons in 2022, supported by further import growth to 3,432 thousand tons.

In 2023, the market contracted by 27% to 2,586 thousand tons as imports fell. For 2024, imports recovered to 2,906 thousand tons, while government initiatives to expand wheat cultivation areas in Al-Jawf Province by over 40% and mechanisms to encourage local production are being implemented, though drought continues to curb grain yields.

Production wheat and meslin in Yemen

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin, 2017-2020

Yemen's wheat and meslin production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 130.0 K t of wheat and meslin, marking a significant 29.6% improvement compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 35.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 92.2 K t, with the largest decline that year being 3.6%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin from Yemen

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Export volumes reached their highest point in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2020, representing a 24-fold change. In 2020, Yemen exported 0.4 K t of wheat and meslin, which indicates a substantial increase of 802.5% from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen's wheat and meslin exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Pakistan, which accounted for 86.8% of total flows, while other countries together 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, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with an 11.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, wheat and meslin shipments from Yemen to abroad reached 0.2 M $ US, reflecting a sharp increase of 398.1% compared to 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Pakistan played the leading role in exports in value terms, holding a share of 77.7% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the rest.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin to Yemen

Imports in kind, K t

Yemen's wheat and meslin imports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Yemen imported approximately 3 045 K t of wheat and meslin, showing a sharp advance of 52.4% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 613 K t, and the largest decline that year was 49.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Yemen's wheat and meslin imports in kind were Russia, Australia, and the United States, which together accounted for 77.8% of total flows.

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 volume of wheat and meslin imports to Yemen has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Yemen imported a total of value_last_year M $ US of wheat and meslin, representing a 23.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 432.8 M $ US, with the largest decline that year being 29.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 26.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Russia, Australia, and the United States were the key partners in Yemen's wheat and meslin imports in value terms, with shares of 33.2%, 24.6%, and 20.9% respectively, together accounting for 78.7% 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