Monitoring Events
YemenSul, Telegram.
Imports
The imports module helps analysts identify supply shortages, determine food and fuel needs, and ensure that they capture price fluctuations. The module covers issues affecting import decisions and the prices of food staples, ultimately supporting more effective humanitarian programming.
Select a time period
Select your ports of interest
Country of origin data from June 2022 onwards
Commodities
You can select one or several commodities
Import trends
Food
Key finding
Yemen imports an estimated 90% of its food. It is important to understand imports to detect potential shortages in the food supply and the issues that could affect import decisions and eventually affect the prices of food staples (see food supply chain report here).
- This monthly graph measures food import quantities into the main ports of Yemen since 2017.
- The graphs do not include overland and Aden-containerised food imports.
- Pre-war food import estimates are calculated at 565,000MT per month.
- Monthly average imports area calculated from 2017.
Food import trends
Fuel
Key finding
Fuel is needed for the transport of people and goods, humanitarian operations, and diesel for household electricity generation and the running of services (hospitals, water pumps, etc.). Analysts try to identify shortages to identify food and fuel needs, capture price fluctuations, and allow for the programming of support (see fuel dynamics report here).
- This monthly graph measures fuel import quantities into the main ports of Yemen since 2017.
- Graphs do not include overland fuel imports.
- Pre-war fuel import estimates are calculated at 500,000MT per month.
- Monthly average imports area calculated from 2017.
Fuel import trends
Historic food waiting time
Historic fuel waiting time
Food and fuel imports into Yemen. Historic port waiting times are an indicator of supply chain dynamics and can act as an early warning system for potential delays.
Port waiting times for fuel and food are measured through the time between the vessel arriving at port and the time the vessel berthed.
Saleef - Red Sea Port
Hodeidah - Red Sea Port
Ras Isa - Red Sea Port
Aden - Southern Port
Al Mukalla - Southern Port
Imports per port
- The Port of Saleef is located in the de-facto authority (DFA-Houthi) area of control.
- Food imports only.
- Red Sea port – 70% of imports and 80% of humanitarian assistance pass through Red Sea ports.
- Vessels that enter Saleef must pass through the Coallition Holding Area (CHA) before entering the port.
- The CHA is an area about 250 kilometres northwest of Al Hodeidah Port where commercial cargo destined for the Red Sea ports are subject to additional inspection and approvals by the Saudi-led coalition, after receiving prior clearance from both UNVIM and the IRG.
- The Port of Hodeidah is located in the de-facto authority (DFA-Houthi) area of control.
- Food and fuel imports.
- Red Sea port – 70% of imports and 80% of humanitarian assistance pass through Red Sea ports.
- Since June 2020, the IRG suspended fuel imports through Al Hodeidah port and has since permitted only limited imports via this route. Food imports have been largely unaffected.
- Vessels that enter Hodeidah must pass through the Coallition Holding Area (CHA) before entering the port.
- The CHA is an area about 250 kilometres northwest of Al Hodeidah Port where commercial cargo destined for the Red Sea ports are subject to additional inspection and approvals by the Saudi-led coalition, after receiving prior clearance from both UNVIM and the IRG.
- The Port of Ras Isa is located in the de-facto authority (DFA-Houthi) area of control.
- Fuel imports only.
- Red Sea port – 70% of imports and 80% of humanitarian assistance pass through Red Sea ports.
- The port of Ras Issa is used to unload diesel fuel via a pipeline system to existing storage tanks. Tankers moor in a buoy system and unload the diesel fuel to storage tanks via a floating pipeline.
- Vessels that enter Ras Isa must pass through the Coallition Holding Area (CHA) before entering the port.
- The CHA is an area about 250 kilometres northwest of Al Hodeidah Port where commercial cargo destined for the Red Sea ports are subject to additional inspection and approvals by the Saudi-led coalition, after receiving prior clearance from both UNVIM and the IRG (UNDP)
- The Port of Aden is located in the Internationally Recognised Government (IRG) area of control.
- Food and fuel imports.
- Major gateway for food, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction cargo for Yemen.
- Since June 2020 and the IRG disruption of fuel imports through Al Hodeidah port, fuel imports are largely handled through Aden and Mukalla ports (see fuel dynamics report here).
- The Port of Al Mukalla is located in the Internationally Recognised Government (IRG) area of control and is the only maritime port in the Hadramawt Governorate.
- Food and fuel imports.
- Designed to handle ships not exceeding ten thousand tons capacity.
- Since June 2020 and the IRG disruption of fuel imports through Al Hodeidah port, fuel imports are largely handled through Aden and Al Mukalla ports (see fuel dynamics report here).
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YETI analysis reports
Situational update
- Yemen imports 90% of its food.
- International oil and food prices have a significant effect on the consumer price.
- Internal fuel and food price dynamics and Yemeni rial instability also significantly affect consumer prices.
- Significant fuel and food prices over the past few years have affected consumers in both DFA and IRG areas.
- Fuel and food have become increasingly unaffordable for households, resulting in the adoption of negative coping strategies and increased food insecurity.
Monthly import quantities
Food
Key finding
Yemen imports an estimated 90% of its food. It is important to understand imports to detect potential shortages in the food supply and the issues that could affect import decisions, eventually affecting the prices of food staples (see food supply chain report here).
- This near real-time graph measures food import quantities into Yemen over the last four weeks.
- Graphs do not include overland or containerised food imports.
Food import current month (SEPTEMBER 2026)
Fuel
Key finding
Fuel is needed for transporting people and goods, humanitarian operations, and diesel for household electricity generation and the running of services (hospitals, water pumps, etc.). Analysts try to identify shortages to identify food and fuel needs, capture price fluctuations, and allow for the programming of support (see fuel dynamics report here).
- This near real-time graph measures fuel import quantities into Yemen over the last four weeks.
- Graphs do not include overland fuel imports.