Aden and other liberated governorates are experiencing a sharp increase in red onion prices, directly linked to the Houthi militia's military escalation in the West Coast regions. This has led to significant disruptions in agricultural production and the movement of farmers and their harvests.
In Hadramout Governorate, citizens reported a substantial jump in the price of red onions, with the kilogram now ranging between 3,000 and 3,500 Yemeni Rials, a sharp rise from the previous 1,000 Rials before the recent Houthi escalation on the West Coast fronts.
Vegetable traders in central markets confirmed that a 50-kilogram sack of onions now costs approximately 70,000 Rials. This price surge reflects the considerable increase in the cost of one of the most vital agricultural and consumer crops in the local market.
Agricultural and trade sector workers attribute this sharp rise to a decline in supply from the West Coast, historically a major source of onions and agricultural produce for Yemeni markets. The conflict initiated by the Houthi militia has severely impacted these production areas, forcing many farmers to displace and abandon their agricultural lands.
In previous years, the West Coast had begun to recover its agricultural capacity following the liberation of large areas from Houthi control, coupled with efforts to clear landmines and explosive devices. This allowed many farmers to return and resume agricultural activities in the Tihama region, contributing significantly to the supply of crops, including onions, to local markets.
The West Coast's agricultural output was also exported to neighboring Arab countries via the Mokha port, providing a crucial income source for farmers and traders. During peak seasons, the region's exports were estimated to reach up to 300 tons of produce daily, a volume that helped supply markets and maintain more affordable prices for consumers before renewed conflict and escalation disrupted production zones.
The current price hike occurs as onion farms on the West Coast suffer from cumulative damage caused by years of war and Houthi shelling. The displacement of numerous farmers from their lands, fleeing militia brutality and the dangers of landmines and military operations, has directly reduced cultivated areas and overall production.
Agricultural stakeholders observe that the recent Houthi escalation's impact extends beyond front lines to economic activity and agricultural output. The unstable security situation has impeded the movement of farmers and traders, decreasing production and market supply, thereby creating an environment for price increases and potential monopolization of the crop in other regions.
With the decline in West Coast production, markets have become more reliant on other onion-producing areas. This increased demand on available quantities, according to market participants, has led to further price hikes, amidst accusations of monopolistic practices by some producers and traders benefiting from the scarcity.
