Small ruminants\u2014sheep (Ovis aries<\/em>) and goats (Capra hircus<\/em>)\u2014are among the earliest livestock domesticated in the Fertile Crescent and West Asia approximately 10,000 to 11,000 years ago. These animals hold pivotal strategic importance in global agricultural systems, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This is due to their high adaptability to harsh environments and their efficiency in converting marginal vegetation into high-nutritional-value animal protein (meat and dairy), in addition to fibers (wool and hair) and hides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Globally, the total population of small ruminants is estimated at over 2.2 billion heads (1.2 billion sheep and 1.1 billion goats). This sector contributes approximately 16 million tons of red meat annually and serves as a direct livelihood and economic pillar for more than 500 million smallholder breeders and pastoralists in developing countries. It is an effective tool for combating rural poverty, enhancing food security, and absorbing economic and environmental shocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yemen possesses a deeply rooted history in sheep and goat rearing, where this wealth has been intrinsically linked to traditional agricultural and pastoral systems, as well as mountain terraces, since the era of ancient Yemeni civilizations (Saba, Himyar, Qataban). Small ruminants are distributed across all ecological environments and climatic zones in Yemen, ranging from the hot coastal plains in Tihamah, through the central and high mountainous highlands, to the eastern desert and semi-desert regions, and the Socotra Archipelago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local breeds of sheep and goats are characterized by a unique genetic diversity and natural selection accumulated over hundreds of years. This has endowed them with superior physiological and productive traits, enabling them to withstand severe environmental conditions. Thanks to these advantages, small ruminants play a central role in income generation and in providing a social safety net for rural areas; they represent a “mobile bank” for rural households, offering urgent cash liquidity to cover emergency expenses such as healthcare, education, and seasonal needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Economically, these ruminants contribute approximately 38% to 42% of the total agricultural livestock Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Furthermore, they absorb a vast rural workforce, especially women and youth, who undertake more than 65% of the care, feeding, and milk collection activities within the framework of smallholdings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on official annual agricultural census data issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation for the period (2017\u20132021), the small ruminant sector shows a continuous upward trend in livestock numbers and production rates, reflecting the sector’s resilience and its strategic importance for food security. The total small ruminant population rose to 20,400,340 heads in 2021, compared to 18,190,031 heads in 2017, achieving a growth rate of 12.15%. This wealth is distributed with close parity between sheep, which reached 10,359,317 heads (50.78%), and goats, which recorded 10,041,023 heads (49.22%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This numerical expansion has positively impacted food production indicators. Total red meat production jumped to 144,662 tons in 2021, marking a 23.57% growth from 2017 (which recorded 117,070 tons). Goat meat led with 80,785 tons (55.84%), followed by sheep meat with 63,877 tons (44.16%). Concurrently, milk production witnessed remarkable growth of 31.67%, reaching 145,816 tons in 2021 (up from 110,747 tons in 2017). Goat milk constituted the largest share at 80,631 tons (55.30%), while sheep milk contributed 65,185 tons (44.70%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to basic food products, this sector supplies artisanal and manufacturing industries with valuable by-products; hide production in 2021 amounted to nearly 8.2 million pieces annually, alongside approximately 3,500 tons of wool and hair per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following table illustrates the temporal evolution of small ruminant production and population in Yemen (2017\u20132021):<\/p>\n\n\n\n The livestock sector experienced a notable shock in 2018, characterized by a 6.74% decline in headcounts\u2014dropping from 18.19 million to 16.96 million heads. This was due to supply chain disruptions, deterioration of veterinary care services, and rising prices of concentrated feeds. Despite these challenges, the sector demonstrated exceptional resilience and initiated a rapid recovery starting in 2019, achieving a cumulative growth of 12.15% by 2021. This was facilitated by the reliance of small ruminants on natural grazing and the high adaptability of local breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The indicators reveal a clear superiority in the production growth rate compared to the herd population growth rate; total meat production increased by 23.57% and milk by 31.67%, whereas head growth did not exceed 12.15%. This positive disparity is attributed to higher offtake and slaughter rates to meet living requirements, the expansion of rapid fattening activities for lambs and kids in peri-urban areas, and the intensive reliance of rural households on milk and dairy products as an accessible protein substitute to combat food insecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding the specific qualitative distribution of production, goats demonstrate clear superiority. Despite the near numerical parity between sheep (50.78%) and goats (49.22%) in 2021, goats accounted for 55.84% of total meat and 55.30% of total milk. This is due to higher twinning rates, longer lactation periods, and their superior ability to utilize dry shrubs. Conversely, sheep milk production recorded a qualitative leap, achieving the highest overall growth rate in the time series at 44.82% (rising from 45,012 tons to 65,185 tons). This reflects the breeders’ growing interest in collecting sheep milk to extract local ghee (Samn Baladi), which holds high marketing and price value in domestic markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wealth of sheep and goats is distributed among the Republic’s governorates based on ecological variations, land area, and available pastures. The governorates of Hadramout, Al Hudaydah, Shabwah, Abyan, Hajjah, Sa’adah, and Al Jawf hold the top ranks in terms of livestock numbers. The following table details the sheep and goat population and their distribution by governorate for the year 2021:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geographic and economic analysis of the 2021 data demonstrates a remarkable production concentration in five main governorates: Hadramout, Al Hudaydah, Shabwah, Abyan, and Hajjah. Together, they account for more than half of the national small ruminant wealth at 50.25% (representing 10,253,331 heads out of the total herd of 20,400,340). This percentage rises to 62.8% when adding Al Jawf and Sa’adah governorates, highlighting the strategic importance of the Eastern Plateau, Coastal Plains, and Northern Highlands as the country’s primary strongholds for animal production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This distribution reflects a distinct ecological variation and environmental specialization between the sheep and goat sectors. Goat breeding dominates the eastern and southern governorates, with Hadramout leading by a wide margin at 2,104,057 heads (20.95% of the Republic’s total goats), followed by Shabwah (10.28%) and Abyan (9.31%). This dominance is attributed to goats’ superior ability to utilize desert shrubs and endure the arid climate of the Eastern Plateau and semi-desert regions. Conversely, sheep breeding is concentrated in the plains and highlands, where Al Hudaydah leads with 1,345,670 heads (12.99% of total sheep), relying on Tihamah’s coastal pastures and crop residues, followed by Shabwah (8.21%), Hadramout (8.20%), Sa’adah (8.05%), and Al Jawf (7.76%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This production map imposes significant developmental and logistical implications for the value chain. It necessitates directing strategic structural investments\u2014such as establishing refrigerated milk collection centers, modern abattoirs, quarantine stations, and veterinary services\u2014directly toward the seven most concentrated governorates. This must occur in tandem with developing supply chains and refrigerated logistical transport routes to connect primary production zones with dense consumption centers in major cities like the capital Sana’a, Aden, and Taiz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below is a diagnostic table reviewing the predominant breeds in Yemen, the contribution percentage of each category to the total domestic meat production (144,662 tons in 2021), and a breakdown of their technical characteristics and comparative advantages (pros and cons):<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategic analysis of the breeds reveals a clear dominance of Tihami goats and Dhamari sheep in the meat market. Tihami goats claim the top spot, contributing approximately 28% of total domestic meat due to high reproductive efficiency and twinning rates. Meanwhile, Dhamari sheep lead the sheep breed list at nearly 22%, driven by strong consumer preference, high carcass yield, and the quality of tail-associated fat. In contrast, locally fattened breeds face a prominent challenge regarding the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) gap; they record low rates ranging from (8.5:1 to 10:1) compared to specialized global breeds that reach (5.5:1), leading to elevated feed costs. This challenge dictates the necessity of launching a pioneering national program for genetic selection and directed purebreeding. The goal is to raise average daily gain and increase productivity without compromising the inherent advantages of local breeds\u2014namely, their natural resistance to diseases and harsh environmental conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding the supply and demand balance, local small ruminant meat maintains a self-sufficiency ratio ranging between 72% and 78%. However, Yemeni markets suffer from a structural deficit estimated at 22% to 28% in meeting the total demand for fresh red meat. This production and consumption gap is bridged by importing live livestock from the Horn of Africa. Conversely, the average annual per capita consumption of sheep and goat meat is about 4.2 kg\/year, a rate noticeably lower than the regional average for the Middle East and Gulf states (which ranges between 6.5 and 8.0 kg\/year). This is a consequence of economic crises and the decline in consumers’ purchasing power. In the context of cross-border trade, seaports and maritime crossings witness massive inflows of imported live livestock (Somali, Sudanese, and Ethiopian sheep and goats) estimated at 1.2 to 1.8 million heads annually. These are utilized either for direct slaughter to cover restaurant demands or to enter rapid fattening cycles. On the flip side, local Yemeni breeds\u2014particularly Dhamari, Tihami, and Hadrami\u2014enjoy high regional demand due to their superior meat quality, which stimulates informal cross-border trade and export, thereby driving up the prices of these breeds within the local market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeding represents the largest operational bottleneck for the livestock sector in Yemen, single-handedly accounting for 68% to 75% of the total direct costs of breeding and fattening activities. The fodder map relies on a mix of sources, primarily led by the main green fodder, Alfalfa (“Al-Fassa” or “Al-Qadab” – Medicago sativa<\/em>). This crop is facing a severe decline due to competition from Qat cultivation for irrigated lands and water resources, which has pushed its prices to record levels. Alongside this, highlands and plains rely on dry field residues such as sorghum and maize stalks, as well as straw. These are rations characterized by poor protein content (4% – 6%) and a high percentage of indigestible fibers. In peri-urban fattening projects, breeders turn to feed concentrates and industrial by-products; such as bran extracted from major silo mills, imported maize, and sesame meal (“Al-Juljulan”) or cottonseed cake produced by oil presses in Al Hudaydah, Abyan, and Lahj. These are high-value protein sources but remain vulnerable to price speculation and exchange rate fluctuations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding veterinary services and treatments, the rural field environment is characterized by near-total dominance of the private sector and drug merchants, amid the absence of regular sovereign vaccination campaigns and networks affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture. This crisis is exacerbated by the widespread proliferation of counterfeit or expired veterinary drugs and preparations imported through informal channels, as well as the spoilage of vaccines and serums due to the collapse of the “Cold Chain” and electricity outages in rural areas and remote governorates like Al Hudaydah, Hajjah, Al Jawf, and Shabwah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These structural imbalances are clearly reflected in the quantitative indicators of inputs; the daily feeding cost per head in fattening projects ranges between $0.40 and $0.65 (USD), with reliance on imported concentrates reaching roughly 65% – 70% during fattening cycles, while official veterinary service coverage for the national herd does not exceed the 12% mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Small ruminant rearing systems in Yemeni regions are distributed across three main patterns. The first is the open pastoral and nomadic system<\/strong>, prevalent in the Eastern Plateau and desert regions (Hadramout, Shabwah, Al Jawf, Marib, and Al Mahrah). It relies on tactical nomadism in search of pasture and water, where flocks traverse hundreds of kilometers annually amid worsening droughts and degrading natural pastures. The second is the mixed agro-pastoral system<\/strong>, the most common in the mountainous highlands (Dhamar, Sana’a, Amran, Hajjah, Ibb, and Taiz). Here, flocks graze in a limited capacity on terraces and field edges during the day and are sheltered at night in the ground floors of traditional houses (“As-Sifl”) or in mud pens lacking proper ventilation and biosecurity requirements. The third pattern is the peri-urban fattening system<\/strong> on the outskirts of major cities (like Sana’a, Al Hudaydah, Aden, and Dhamar). This involves purchasing lambs and ram lambs aged 4 to 6 months and feeding them with concentrates and dry fodder for 60 to 90 days, targeting peak demand seasons during Eid and Ramadan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rural women constitute the primary engine and backbone of this value chain, bearing more than 75% of the daily operational burden. Their tasks include grazing, collecting and cutting sorghum stalks, preparing rations, cleaning pens, watering, managing birthing operations, and finally milking the livestock and processing traditional dairy derivatives like ghee and cheese. However, they largely remain deprived of negotiating power and direct control over the financial returns generated from selling live animals in weekly markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the health and environmental front, the sector faces entrenched epidemiological challenges represented by the outbreak of transboundary diseases; such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP), and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), along with Brucellosis and Liver Flukes (Fasciola<\/em>) prevalent around dams and streams in Ibb, Taiz, and Raymah. Difficulties are also compounded by water scarcity and heavy reliance on costly transport tankers, as well as the negative impacts of the invasive Mesquite tree (Prosopis juliflora<\/em>) spreading in Tihamah, Abyan, and Shabwah. Excessive consumption of its pods leads to tooth loss, rumen impaction, and livestock mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These environmental and nutritional constraints reflect directly on field production indicators. The local Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) registers between (8.5:1 and 10.0:1). The average daily gain (ADG) ranges between 70 and 110 grams for Dhamari sheep, and 60 to 90 grams for Tihami goats. Average milk yield is between 0.3 and 0.7 liters\/day over a lactation period extending between 70 and 110 days. Meanwhile, neonatal mortality rates (lambs and kids) rise to levels between 15% and 25% due to cold shock, microbial diarrhea, and maternal malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The transportation of live animals from primary production regions (such as Tihamah, Shabwah, Hajjah, and Al Jawf) to major consumption centers in Sana’a, Aden, and Taiz represents one of the weakest and most hazardous links in the value chain. Animals are loaded in overcrowded conditions that exceed capacity into light and medium trucks lacking protective partitions, feeding, or watering, enduring grueling journeys lasting from 12 to 36 hours. During these routes, livestock suffer from asphyxiation, severe heat stress, and the ruggedness of mountainous passes (such as Naqil Manakhah, Naqil Yaslah, and Naqil Shahir). This leads to a shrinkage and loss in live weight ranging between 8% and 14%, additionally causing fractures and bruises in 3% to 5% of the shipments, which obliterates their marketing value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding slaughtering and health safety, randomness dominates the general landscape. Over 85% of small ruminants are slaughtered outside official abattoirs, specifically in front of butcher shops and on street sidewalks, amid a total absence of pre- and post-slaughter veterinary inspections. Health risks are exacerbated by the dilapidated infrastructure of the few existing municipal slaughterhouses\u2014such as those in the Capital Secretariat, Al Hudaydah, and Aden\u2014the lack of automated suspension lines, and the breakdown of primary chilling halls, which exposes meat to rapid bacterial contamination under high temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the absence of refrigerated collection networks in rural areas, breeders resort to immediately processing milk using inherited traditional methods. Prominent among these is the production of “Baladi Ghee” (Dhamari, Tihami, and Maribi). This involves fermenting milk in clay or leather vessels (“Makhadhah” or “Dubba”) and churning it to extract butter, then boiling it with roasted fenugreek seeds, flour, and botanical aromatics like basil and fennel. This yields a product of high economic value, reaching $25 to $40 per kilogram. Regions like Taiz, Al Hudaydah, and Lahj are famous for manufacturing “Baladi Cheeses” (such as Taizi cheese and Malmouh cheese). This is done by coagulating raw milk using the “Mifhah” (rennet) enzyme extracted from the stomachs of suckling kids, then pressing and smoking the cheese with specific shrubby plants like Shawar<\/em> and Kadhi<\/em> (Pandanus) to impart a distinct flavor and color and to prolong its shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The secondary derivatives sector suffers from near-total waste. Unprofessional manual skinning causes damage and tearing to over 60% of hides. Moreover, the neglect of immediate salting and the halting of modern and traditional local tanneries lead hides to rot, transforming them from a precious economic resource into environmental pollutants. The same scenario repeats with sheep wool and goat hair, which are discarded after shearing via burning or burial, due to the complete absence of artisanal and manufacturing industries concerned with spinning and weaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Approximately 92% of Yemen’s small ruminant production is directed towards direct live sales and fresh consumption, while the remaining 8% is restricted to traditional and artisanal processing, represented by the production of Baladi ghee and local cheeses. Modern manufacturing and processing lines\u2014such as pasteurizing sheep and goat milk, standard-compliant cutting and packaging of meat, or producing semi-hard cheeses\u2014are virtually nonexistent due to a slew of obstacles. Foremost among these is the petroleum derivatives and energy crisis, and the surging prices of diesel and electricity. This makes operating cold rooms and pasteurization units economically unfeasible and doubles the cost of the final product compared to imported alternatives. Furthermore, production is highly fragmented and characterized by small holding sizes (between 5 and 30 heads) in remote villages, which escalates the logistical burdens and costs of milk collection operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regarding secondary by-products, the sector witnesses the squandering of promising economic and industrial opportunities. Slaughterhouse waste\u2014such as blood, bones, hooves, and inedible offal\u2014is disposed of by dumping it into public landfills without treatment. This occurs instead of investing it in the establishment of processing plants to produce Meat and Bone Meal, a concentrated protein source for poultry and fish feed. A similar situation occurs with dung and organic manure (“Az-Zabad”), which is collected and packaged haphazardly to be sold to Qat and fruit farmers (like peach, mango, and date farmers) without undergoing thermal fermentation and biological treatment. This results in the transfer of weed seeds and insect and fungal pests to agricultural soil, and misses promising potentials to establish Biogas generation units and produce sterilized organic fertilizers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A vast network of central, historical, and weekly markets spreads across Yemen, forming the main nervous system for price determination, as well as the collection and distribution of livestock across different regions. Al-Rahbah market in Sana’a stands out as the largest pivotal market for consolidating and consuming highland livestock alongside those brought from Tihamah and Al Jawf. Meanwhile, the Bayt al-Faqih and Bajil markets in Al Hudaydah governorate serve as the primary hubs for gathering Tihami sheep and goats, as well as Haneeth kids. In the northwest, the Abs market in Hajjah plays a central role in livestock collection, parallel to the Ataq market in Shabwah and the Al-Sawm market in Hadramout, which are active in trading Hadrami goats and desert sheep and supplying them to neighboring governorates. Additionally, the Al-Qa’idah market in Ibb governorate represents a strategic link connecting the central regions with major consumption markets in Taiz and Aden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The movement of trading and commercial exchange in these markets is characterized by complexity and the absolute hegemony of the middlemen chain (Guarantors or “Dhumanaa” and Brokers or “Dallaloon”). Sales operations are conducted either via open vocal auctioning (“Al-Munadah”) or through secret bargaining methods by placing hands under a shawl or headpiece (“Al-Masar”), with fixed cash brokerage commissions deducted per head from both the buyer and the seller. This structure negatively impacts the negotiating power of smallholder breeders arriving from remote rural areas; they find themselves compelled to accept the low prices dictated by butchers and brokers to avoid bearing the costs of feeding the livestock and transporting them back to their villages. Moreover, they are often forced to hand over their livestock on a deferred payment basis (“Credit\/Debt”) until the meat is sold, thereby incurring the risks of delayed payments and the erosion of their capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, small ruminant prices are subject to severe seasonal fluctuations and wide price gaps. During peak demand seasons\u2014namely Eid al-Adha, the month of Ramadan, and summer wedding seasons\u2014the demand for Dhamari Baladi rams and Tihami kids surges, causing prices to spike by 60% to 100%. The price of a premium fattened Dhamari ram can reach between $180 and $260. In contrast, winter and drought seasons impose harsh pressures due to receding vegetation cover and feed scarcity. This forces breeders to flood the markets by selling large numbers of their flocks simultaneously to secure cash liquidity, causing prices to plummet by 40% to 50% and inflicting severe losses on small producers. These imbalances are clearly manifested in the economic indicators of the marketing chain; the small breeder’s share does not exceed 48% to 58% of the final price paid by the consumer, whereas marketing brokerage commissions capture a proportion ranging between 12% and 18%, amidst a per-head price gap that reaches 60% to 100% between peak and scarcity seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSupply, Demand, and Macro Indicators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Indicator \/ Year<\/strong><\/td> 2017<\/strong><\/td> 2018<\/strong><\/td> 2019<\/strong><\/td> 2020<\/strong><\/td> 2021<\/strong><\/td> Overall Growth Rate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Sheep Population (Heads)<\/strong><\/td> 9,185,435<\/td> 8,318,807<\/td> 9,717,977<\/td> 9,866,017<\/td> 10,359,317<\/td> +12.78%<\/td><\/tr> Goat Population (Heads)<\/strong><\/td> 9,004,596<\/td> 8,644,657<\/td> 9,485,903<\/td> 9,562,881<\/td> 10,041,023<\/td> +11.51%<\/td><\/tr> Total Livestock Population (Heads)<\/strong><\/td> 18,190,031<\/td> 16,963,464<\/td> 19,203,880<\/td> 19,428,898<\/td> 20,400,340<\/td> +12.15%<\/td><\/tr> Sheep Meat Production (Tons)<\/strong><\/td> 54,366<\/td> 53,822<\/td> 57,939<\/td> 60,836<\/td> 63,877<\/td> +17.49%<\/td><\/tr> Goat Meat Production (Tons)<\/strong><\/td> 62,704<\/td> 62,234<\/td> 73,275<\/td> 76,938<\/td> 80,785<\/td> +28.83%<\/td><\/tr> Total Meat Production (Tons)<\/strong><\/td> 117,070<\/td> 116,056<\/td> 131,214<\/td> 137,774<\/td> 144,662<\/td> +23.57%<\/td><\/tr> Sheep Milk Production (Tons)<\/strong><\/td> 45,012<\/td> 44,944<\/td> 59,125<\/td> 62,081<\/td> 65,185<\/td> +44.82%<\/td><\/tr> Goat Milk Production (Tons)<\/strong><\/td> 65,735<\/td> 65,406<\/td> 73,135<\/td> 76,791<\/td> 80,631<\/td> +22.66%<\/td><\/tr> Total Milk Production (Tons)<\/strong><\/td> 110,747<\/td> 110,350<\/td> 132,260<\/td> 138,872<\/td> 145,816<\/td> +31.67%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Governorate<\/strong><\/td> Sheep Population (Heads)<\/strong><\/td> Goat Population (Heads)<\/strong><\/td> Total Small Ruminants (Heads)<\/strong><\/td> Percentage of Total Herd (%)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Hadramout<\/strong><\/td> 849,491<\/td> 2,104,057<\/td> 2,953,548<\/td> 14.48%<\/td><\/tr> Al Hudaydah<\/strong><\/td> 1,345,670<\/td> 692,154<\/td> 2,037,824<\/td> 9.99%<\/td><\/tr> Shabwah<\/strong><\/td> 850,306<\/td> 1,032,068<\/td> 1,882,374<\/td> 9.23%<\/td><\/tr> Abyan<\/strong><\/td> 608,108<\/td> 934,761<\/td> 1,542,869<\/td> 7.56%<\/td><\/tr> Hajjah<\/strong><\/td> 768,149<\/td> 618,567<\/td> 1,386,716<\/td> 6.80%<\/td><\/tr> Al Jawf<\/strong><\/td> 803,973<\/td> 500,565<\/td> 1,304,538<\/td> 6.39%<\/td><\/tr> Sa’adah<\/strong><\/td> 834,111<\/td> 425,911<\/td> 1,260,022<\/td> 6.18%<\/td><\/tr> Amran<\/strong><\/td> 660,175<\/td> 350,788<\/td> 1,010,963<\/td> 4.96%<\/td><\/tr> Taiz<\/strong><\/td> 409,441<\/td> 507,799<\/td> 917,240<\/td> 4.50%<\/td><\/tr> Marib<\/strong><\/td> 416,937<\/td> 468,332<\/td> 885,269<\/td> 4.34%<\/td><\/tr> Sana’a<\/strong><\/td> 530,277<\/td> 324,779<\/td> 855,056<\/td> 4.19%<\/td><\/tr> Al Bayda<\/strong><\/td> 566,059<\/td> 231,825<\/td> 797,884<\/td> 3.91%<\/td><\/tr> Lahj<\/strong><\/td> 316,404<\/td> 427,142<\/td> 743,546<\/td> 3.64%<\/td><\/tr> Dhamar<\/strong><\/td> 477,182<\/td> 241,608<\/td> 718,790<\/td> 3.52%<\/td><\/tr> Al Mahrah<\/strong><\/td> 196,505<\/td> 521,312<\/td> 717,817<\/td> 3.52%<\/td><\/tr> Ibb<\/strong><\/td> 259,707<\/td> 304,361<\/td> 564,068<\/td> 2.76%<\/td><\/tr> Al Dhale’e<\/strong><\/td> 212,069<\/td> 145,682<\/td> 357,751<\/td> 1.75%<\/td><\/tr> Al Mahwit<\/strong><\/td> 105,824<\/td> 73,781<\/td> 179,605<\/td> 0.88%<\/td><\/tr> Sana’a – Capital<\/strong><\/td> 60,017<\/td> 61,670<\/td> 121,687<\/td> 0.60%<\/td><\/tr> Raymah<\/strong><\/td> 62,172<\/td> 55,998<\/td> 118,170<\/td> 0.58%<\/td><\/tr> Aden<\/strong><\/td> 26,740<\/td> 17,863<\/td> 44,603<\/td> 0.22%<\/td><\/tr> Grand Total<\/strong><\/td> 10,359,317<\/strong><\/td> 10,041,023<\/strong><\/td> 20,400,340<\/strong><\/td> 100.00%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Breed \/ Category<\/strong><\/td> Contribution to Domestic Meat Production (%)<\/strong><\/td> Slaughter Weight and Carcass Yield<\/strong><\/td> Pros and Comparative Advantages<\/strong><\/td> Cons and Technical Constraints<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> 1. Dhamari (Mountain) Sheep<\/strong><\/td> ~22.0% (approx. 31,800 tons)<\/td> \u2022 Live weight: 28 – 38 kg
\u2022 Carcass Yield: 48% – 52%<\/td>\u2022 Exceptional meat quality and highly desired flavor by local consumers.
\u2022 Fat-tailed, stores fat, and is demanded at premium prices.
\u2022 Excellent tolerance to highland cold and efficient digestion of dry rations.<\/td>\u2022 Slow to medium average daily gain (80 – 130 g\/day).
\u2022 Poor Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR approx. 8.5:1 – 10:1).
\u2022 Low twinning rate (less than 12%).<\/td><\/tr>2. As-Saradi \/ Tihami Sheep<\/strong><\/td> ~13.5% (approx. 19,500 tons)<\/td> \u2022 Live weight: 22 – 30 kg
\u2022 Carcass Yield: 45% – 48%<\/td>\u2022 Fast growth and movement, high resistance to parasitic diseases and heat stress.
\u2022 Lean, low-fat meat preferred by certain demographics.
\u2022 Rapid reproductive cycle and potential for early slaughter (young lambs).<\/td>\u2022 Low net carcass weight (10 – 14 kg).
\u2022 Lower price compared to Dhamari in highland markets.
\u2022 Thin tail (hairy) reduces its value during certain formal seasons.<\/td><\/tr>3. Hadrami and Maribi Sheep<\/strong><\/td> ~8.7% (approx. 12,500 tons)<\/td> \u2022 Live weight: 25 – 34 kg
\u2022 Carcass Yield: 46% – 50%<\/td>\u2022 Superior capacity for open grazing and long-distance walking.
\u2022 Strong response to concentrate feeds in rapid fattening cycles (60 – 90 days).
\u2022 High-quality meat, in demand in eastern governorates and neighboring countries.<\/td>\u2022 Seasonality and supply fluctuations due to drought in desert regions.
\u2022 Live weight shrinkage during long-distance transport (8% – 12%).<\/td><\/tr>4. Tihami Goats (Ash-Shariqi \/ Baladi)<\/strong><\/td> ~28.0% (approx. 40,500 tons)<\/td> \u2022 Live weight: 18 – 26 kg
\u2022 Carcass Yield: 43% – 46%<\/td>\u2022 Very high twinning rate (35% – 45%) ensuring an abundance of kids for fattening.
\u2022 High reproductive efficiency and short production cycle.
\u2022 Massive consumer demand for tender kid meat (Haneeth and Madhbi meat).<\/td>\u2022 Low fat percentage and carcass cover, exposing it to direct drying.
\u2022 Small carcass size and low skeletal weight.
\u2022 Extreme sensitivity to cold when transported to mountainous highlands.<\/td><\/tr>5. Mountain Goats (Al-Aridhi \/ Black)<\/strong><\/td> ~19.5% (approx. 28,200 tons)<\/td> \u2022 Live weight: 22 – 32 kg
\u2022 Carcass Yield: 44% – 47%<\/td>\u2022 High ability to exploit shrubby plants and rugged pastures.
\u2022 High-quality meat with elevated marketing value in mountain cities.
\u2022 Excellent tolerance to poor grazing conditions and water scarcity.<\/td>\u2022 High mobility and excessive movement in pens, increasing basal energy loss.
\u2022 Slower growth rate in intensive closed fattening.
\u2022 Lower carcass yield compared to Dhamari sheep.<\/td><\/tr>6. Hadrami and Bura’i Goats<\/strong><\/td> ~8.3% (approx. 12,000 tons)<\/td> \u2022 Live weight: 20 – 28 kg
\u2022 Carcass Yield: 44% – 47%<\/td>\u2022 Characterized by high hair and meat quality, and excellent suitability to specialized local environments.
\u2022 Good response to nutritional improvement and local rations.<\/td>\u2022 Confined to localized geographic ranges.
\u2022 Scarcity of studies and improved genetic development for these breeds.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAnalysis of the Small Ruminant Value Chain Stages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Inputs and Genetic Assets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Breeding and Production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Post-Production and Primary Processing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Manufacturing and Value Addition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Marketing, Distribution, and Market Dynamics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Matrix of Actors, Stakeholders, and Value Chain Map<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key Players in the Value Chain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Key Player \/ Actor<\/strong><\/td> Importance of Operational Role<\/strong><\/td> Shortcomings and Deficiencies<\/strong><\/td> Development and Improvement Proposals<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> 1. Input, Feed, and Veterinary Medicine Suppliers<\/strong><\/td> Providing concentrated feed, vaccines, and essential medicines to support production and fattening.<\/td> Monopolization of supply chains, high prices, and the proliferation of counterfeit or spoiled drugs and vaccines due to poor refrigeration.<\/td> \u2022 Find local feed alternatives such as silage and mesquite (Prosopis) pods.\u2022 Tighten quality control on veterinary imports.
\u2022 Support solar-powered cold chains for veterinary supplies.<\/td><\/tr>2. Breeders and Small Pastoralists (Rural Households)<\/strong><\/td> Primary field production, morning grazing, herd and birthing management, and the provision of meat and milk.<\/td> Low productive efficiency, disease outbreaks, poor nutrition, and a lack of negotiating and marketing power.<\/td> \u2022 Establish cooperative production and marketing associations.\u2022 Provide continuous field veterinary extension services.\u2022 Introduce local feed treatments (urea) and disseminate improved breeds.<\/td><\/tr> 3. Peri-Urban and Specialized Fattening Farmers<\/strong><\/td> Absorbing young lambs and kids and rapidly fattening them to meet peak demand during Eid and Ramadan.<\/td> High direct feed costs (68% – 75%) and low Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR) of fattening breeds.<\/td> \u2022 Adopt balanced rations using local bran and sesame meal components.\u2022 Implement ventilation and biosecurity standards in pens.\u2022 Utilize genetic selection for rapid improvement.<\/td><\/tr> 4. Local Aggregators and Middlemen (in Villages and Rural Areas)<\/strong><\/td> Consolidating livestock and facilitating their transport from remote villages and farms to weekly markets.<\/td> Imposing profit margins and additional transport costs without adding true value to the collected animals.<\/td> \u2022 Organize aggregator networks under the umbrella of agricultural associations.\u2022 Provide centralized live electronic scales in villages to ensure fair sales.<\/td><\/tr> 5. Brokers, Auctioneers (Dallaloon), and Guarantors (in Central Markets)<\/strong><\/td> Managing auctions, conducting vocal bidding (Al-Munadah<\/em>), and connecting breeders with traders and butchers.<\/td> Monopolizing sales, imposing unfair brokerage commissions, and pressuring breeders into deferred credit sales (“Debt”).<\/td> \u2022 Regulate and license the brokerage profession officially.\u2022 Mandate the use of standing electronic scales.\u2022 Establish digital platforms for real-time pricing.<\/td><\/tr> 6. Transporters and Truck Owners (“Diyyanat”)<\/strong><\/td> Transporting herds and live animals between governorates and from production areas to consumption cities.<\/td> Severe overcrowding without protective partitions, and lack of water and feed during transport, causing weight shrinkage (8% – 14%) and mortality.<\/td> \u2022 Retrofit trucks with separation partitions and drinking water tanks.
\u2022 Set maximum headcounts according to allowable payload capacity.\u2022 Establish veterinary rest and watering stations at mountain passes.<\/td><\/tr>7. Municipal Abattoirs, Butchers, and Meat Traders<\/strong><\/td> Slaughtering livestock, processing fresh meat, portioning it, and meeting the needs of consumers and restaurants.<\/td> Prevalence of random street slaughtering (over 85%), dilapidated municipal abattoirs, and an absence of veterinary inspections and primary chilling requirements.<\/td> \u2022 Reconstruct and rehabilitate abattoirs, equipping them with automated slaughter lines and cold chains.\u2022 Prohibit random slaughtering and activate comprehensive veterinary health oversight.<\/td><\/tr> 8. Traditional Dairy Aggregators and Processors (Ghee and Cheese)<\/strong><\/td> Milking, collecting milk, and manufacturing Dhamari ghee, Taizi cheese, and Malmouh as high-value products.<\/td> Reliance on unsterilized traditional manual methods and the absence of refrigerated collection networks, leading to the spoilage of 20% – 30% of collected milk.<\/td> \u2022 Provide households and breeders with solar-powered churns and sterilized utensils.\u2022 Establish refrigerated rural Milk Collection Centers (MCCs).\u2022 Implement standardized, systematic packaging.<\/td><\/tr> 9. Hide and Wool Traders and Aggregators<\/strong><\/td> Collecting raw hides, wool, and hair, and supplying the local tanning and spinning industries or exporting them.<\/td> Destructive manual skinning that ruins 60% of hides, neglect of immediate salting, halted tanneries, and the discarding of wool as environmental waste.<\/td> \u2022 Train butchers in professional skinning skills.\u2022 Supply collection points with instant preservation salt.\u2022 Reactivate leather tanneries and invest in wool recycling.<\/td><\/tr> 10. Restaurants, Haneeth Shops, and the Final Consumer<\/strong><\/td> Final consumption and the off-take of large quantities of fresh kids and local lamb meat.<\/td> Fluctuations in supply and seasonality, and the impact of economic crises on general purchasing power.<\/td> \u2022 Execute direct supply contracts between restaurants and cooperative associations to ensure price and quality stability.\u2022 Guide the public toward rational consumption.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Stakeholders and the Enabling Environment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stakeholder \/ Institution<\/strong><\/td> Importance of Role and Mission<\/strong><\/td> Shortcomings and Deficiencies<\/strong><\/td> Development and Empowerment Proposals<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> 1. Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries (Animal Health and Quarantine)<\/strong><\/td> National policies, organizing veterinary quarantine, managing border quarantines, and launching sovereign epidemiological campaigns.<\/td> Weak operational budgets, scarcity of sovereign vaccines, and a declining number of field extension and veterinary personnel.<\/td> \u2022 Allocate dedicated operational budgets for regular national epidemiological campaigns (PPR, SGP).\u2022 Activate and expand electronic border quarantines.\u2022 Supply the extension sector with qualified veterinary cadres.<\/td><\/tr> 2. Agricultural Research and Extension Authority (AREA)<\/strong><\/td> Conducting scientific research in genetic improvement, nutrition, purebreeding of local breeds, and developing feed alternatives.<\/td> Freezing and paralysis of research activities and field stations due to a lack of investment funding and limited resources.<\/td> \u2022 Fund genetic improvement and selection programs for local breeds (Dhamari and Tihami).\u2022 Provide financial support to develop supplementary and local feed trials.<\/td><\/tr> 3. Agricultural Cooperative Union and Local Cooperative Associations<\/strong><\/td>