Tomato Market Overview in Yemen

The Yemeni tomato market expanded rapidly to $ in 2019, increasing by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption recorded a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of % y-o-y. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $. From 2013 to 2019, the growth of the market failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, tomato production surged to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 when the production volume increased by % against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $. From 2013 to 2019, production growth failed to regain the momentum.

In 2019, the average yield of tomatoes in Yemen reduced to tonnes per ha, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2018 figures. Overall, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the yield increased by % year-to-year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of tonnes per ha. From 2016 to 2019, the growth of the average tomato yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2019, the tomato harvested area in Yemen shrank to ha, which is down by -% compared with 2018 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the harvested area increased by % against the previous year. The tomato harvested area peaked at ha in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2019, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

In 2019, after two years of growth, there was decline in consumption of tomatoes, when its volume decreased by -% to tonnes. Over the period under review, consumption saw a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the consumption volume increased by % against the previous year. Tomato consumption peaked at tonnes in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the tomato market in Yemen rose notably to $ in 2019, picking up by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption recorded a noticeable curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 with an increase of % y-o-y. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $. From 2013 to 2019, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Depressed by shrinking demand for tomato in Yemen, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Over the period under review, imports of tomato in Yemen were negligibly small compared to the production volumes. Therefore, the share of imports in the total market was practically nonexistent, both in volume and in value terms. This situation has remained constant over the period under review, which means that domestic producers entirely meet the domestic demand for tomato.

Yemen remains a net importer of tomato; in physical and value terms, imports consistently exceeded exports from 2007 to 2019. In 2019, there was a significant trade deficit of tonnes, which was equal to $. This tangible trade deficit reflects the fact that the market remains dependent on imports, which is likely to continue in the medium term.