As he does every year, Mohammed al-Harbi leases a spot beside a market to sell products including children's clothes and accessories during the holy month of Ramadan.

Al-Harbi, 28, works in a small restaurant that closes during Ramadan every year.

"Ramadan is the season for buying clothes, which is why I make sure to rent this spot every year to sell my merchandise," he said.

Al-Harbi made a handsome profit this year, four times greater than the monthly wages from his regular job. "However, Ramadan and Eid expensive are also high and varied," he said with a smile.

Zayed al-Atmi, who is in his 20s, turned a small space on a Sanaa street into a vegetable stand.

"I came to Sanaa to study at a university, and I rely on my father's monthly allowance to live on, but I have 12 siblings -- a heavy load for my father," he said. "So during Ramadan I sell vegetables, which people buy in large quantities during the month."

"This is the only way I can go back to my village and spend Eid al-Fitr with my father and siblings," al-Atmi said.

Economic opportunities

Dr. Taha al-Faseel, who teaches economics at Sanaa University, said increased spending positively impacts the seasonal jobs that only appear during Ramadan.

Many infrastructure projects that were under way before the nation's economic and political crisis began in 2011 have been suspended, he said, and this situation forced unskilled labourers working on these projects to find alternative sources of income during Ramadan.

Many workers in this sector began selling Ramadan food, clothes and other Eid necessities on the roadside, according to al-Faseel.

"Ramadan is a big commercial season because there is great demand for certain foods and desserts such as sanbusa and vegetables," he said. "This is also true for the clothing market since most Yemenis only buy new clothes on Ramadan of every year."

Economist Mohammed al-Maitami said the informal economy is at its peak during Ramadan and other religious occasions, adding that street vendors often set up shop on sidewalks and near major markets.

"Ramadan offers a seasonal market since the work opportunities during this month are unavailable during other months," he said.

Al-Maitami said there is demand for Ramadan goods among consumers, which makes them profitable, whether the product is prepared at home and sold by families or manufactured in small factories.

"Ramadan is a special and holy month during which people celebrate and observe certain traditions," said Iqbal Bahadir, Yemen's deputy minister of industry and trade. "It has turned into a big commercial season, especially when it comes to work opportunities that are created during this month even if they are on a temporary basis."

"These seasonal jobs lead to an economic recovery because everyone is working and reaping the benefits, whether they are producers or consumers," he said.

Bahadir said factories specialising in Ramadan food products and street vendors are not regulated by the ministry.

"Their products are simple, and consumers can assess [the quality] themselves," he said, adding that most vendors have their own clientele who buy from them annually.