The National Exhibition for Yemeni Coffee and Dates Launches in Aden
Aden / Desert Sky
The National Exhibition for Yemeni Coffee and Dates launched today in Aden, the capital city. Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, the exhibition is held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Shaya'a Al-Zindani, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries Major General Salem Al-Saqtari, and Governor of Aden Abdulrahman Sheikh.
The exhibition, held under the slogan "A Nation's Wealth," is scheduled to run from March 7-9, 2026 (corresponding to Ramadan 18-20). Supported and funded by the Cooperative and Agricultural Credit Bank (CAC Bank), the exhibition aims to showcase and market Yemeni coffee and dates, highlighting their high quality and reflecting the rich history of Yemeni agriculture. These products represent a significant source of income and provide employment opportunities for a large segment of the population.
During the inauguration ceremony, which was opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Major General Salem Al-Saqtari, and attended by the Minister of Electricity, Engineer Adnan Al-Kaf, the Minister of Social Affairs, Mukhtar Al-Yafai, the Minister of State and Governor of Aden, Abdulrahman Sheikh, the Acting Resident Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Yemen, Adam Yao, and a number of local leaders and those interested in the agricultural sector, His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Major General Salem Abdullah Al-Saqtari, affirmed that holding this exhibition is an extension of the first coffee exhibition, which aims to highlight national agricultural products and enhance their presence in the markets. He pointed out that coffee and dates are among the most important cash crops that can contribute to supporting the national economy and strengthening the value of the national currency, as they are a true asset that should be invested in and developed.
Al-Saqqatri added that Yemen possesses significant agricultural, livestock, and fisheries resources, and that if these resources were optimally invested, they would contribute to a genuine economic revival. He emphasized that relying solely on oil resources is not a sustainable option, given their depletable nature, which necessitates a serious focus on developing productive sectors, foremost among them the agricultural sector.
For his part, Aden Governor Abdulrahman Sheikh delivered a speech expressing his pleasure at participating in the exhibition, which aims to enhance farmers' capabilities in coffee and date production. He affirmed the local authority's readiness to support such events hosted by Aden, a city that serves as an economic engine through its port, airport, refineries, and other economic assets.
The speech on behalf of the organizing committee was delivered by Deputy Minister Engineer Abdulmalik Naji Obaid, who emphasized that the exhibition aims to promote coffee products, which have gained worldwide renown as they represent an integrated system of customs and traditions in our country and are a cash crop that has been exported globally since ancient times. He added that coffee represents a resilient product despite the natural challenges facing our country.
Reviewing the Ministry's achievements in this area, he highlighted the high quality of Yemeni coffee and date products and expressed his gratitude to His Excellency the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries, Major General Salem Al-Saqtari, who prioritizes the agricultural sector and repeatedly emphasizes the importance of encouraging farmers. He also commended the efforts of the FAO and CAC Bank, the official sponsors of this year's National Coffee Exhibition.
Adam Yao, the Acting Resident Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Yemen, addressed the collaborative relationship between the Ministry and the organization, particularly concerning coffee production and export. He added that the FAO is working to strengthen and support this relationship in every possible way and is simultaneously striving to open new markets for Yemeni coffee exports, given its status as one of the most important agricultural products for which Yemen has been renowned worldwide for centuries.
The Acting Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Agricultural Credit Bank, Hashed Al-Hamdani, delivered a speech in which he emphasized that the bank's support for the exhibition stems from its commitment to encouraging the agricultural sector, particularly Yemeni coffee products, which reflect the history and civilization of our country since ancient times.
The opening ceremony included several poetry recitations highlighting the importance of the event.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the ministers officially opened the exhibition, which comprises several pavilions, including those for date farmers, coffee farmers, coffee companies, and cafes. They toured the pavilions, viewing samples of Yemeni coffee and local dates, and listened to explanations from exhibitors about production, processing, and marketing methods, as well as the efforts being made to develop these products and enhance their market presence.
Attendees praised the exhibition for showcasing the diversity and quality of Yemeni agricultural products, stressing the importance of supporting such initiatives that contribute to encouraging local production and strengthening the position of coffee and dates as national products of economic and cultural value.
