Hodeidah (South24 Center)

Al-Mohsin Brothers for Trade, Agencies, and General Contracting – one of the largest wheat import and milling companies in North Yemen – announced that its wheat stock has been "completely depleted," warning of a halt in flour production in areas controlled by the Houthi group due to delays by Sana’a authorities in issuing permits for new shipments.

In an official memorandum dated October 22, 2025, addressed to the Acting Minister of Economy, Industry, and Investment in the Houthi government, the company clarified that its mills and silos in Hodeidah city have "effectively ceased operations after exhausting all wheat reserves," adding that repeated requests for authorization to import a new shipment have received no response from the authorities.

The company confirmed that it had previously warned of the impending crisis, noting that continued disruption of shipments would lead to a "severe flour shortage" in local markets. It stated that it "disclaims any responsibility for supply shortages or bakery closures" resulting from administrative restrictions on wheat imports.

According to a Reuters review of economic reports and testimonies from grain traders in Sana’a and Hodeidah, the crisis follows a January 2025 decision by the Houthis to ban flour imports through Hodeidah port under the pretext of promoting local production. This move has led to tightened customs oversight on imports in general, including wheat shipments.

Shipping brokers report that Hodeidah port continues to receive wheat vessels, but new procedures imposed by Houthi authorities have "significantly slowed unloading and clearance processes."

The Houthis continue to enforce security and customs restrictions on commercial shipments imported through Aden port in South Yemen.

More than two-thirds of North Yemen’s population depends on wheat imports through Red Sea ports. Warnings are growing that any prolonged shutdown of Hodeidah’s mills, which supply a significant portion of local market needs, could exacerbate famine risks in a country already facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

As of Saturday evening, no official comment had been issued by the Houthi-controlled Ministry of Economy and Industry in Sana’a regarding the company’s warnings or the restrictions on wheat imports.