Yemen Ports See 73% Drop in Fuel Imports Amid Red Sea Tensions

Fuel imports through Yemen's Red Sea ports of Hodeidah, Saleef, and Ras Isa have plummeted by 73% in the first five months of 2026, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).

The WFP's latest food security report for Yemen indicates that these ports, controlled by the Houthi group, received approximately 2.87 million metric tons of fuel and food between January and May 2026. This figure represents a 5.5% decrease compared to the same period in 2025 (3.04 million metric tons) and a 21% decline from the first five months of 2024 (over 3.6 million metric tons).

The report attributes this overall reduction to diminished efficiency and capacity at the Red Sea ports, citing recent Israeli and U.S. airstrikes. Furthermore, escalating supply chain challenges stemming from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have impacted the availability and quality of fuel in Houthi-controlled areas.

These developments have led to an increase in instances of substandard fuel in local markets, adversely affecting vehicles, water pumps, electricity generation, and the livelihoods of residents. Specifically, fuel imports through Hodeidah, Saleef, and Ras Isa ports reached a low of 331,000 metric tons in the first five months of 2026, a sharp 73% decrease from 1.24 million metric tons in the same period of 2025 and a 77% drop from approximately 1.4 million metric tons in 2024.

In contrast, the report highlights a significant increase in food imports, which totaled 2.54 million metric tons during the same period. This marks a 41% rise compared to 1.8 million metric tons in early 2025 and a 14% increase from roughly 2.23 million metric tons in the corresponding period of 2024.

The WFP confirmed that local markets in Houthi-controlled regions continue to have food supplies. However, the primary crisis lies in the declining purchasing power of families and their difficulty in accessing necessary economic resources to buy food. This situation is exacerbated by the ongoing deterioration of living conditions and the reduction in humanitarian aid, making adequate food access an increasing challenge for millions of Yemenis.