Beef and buffalo meat market in Bahrain

Earlier Report Observations

The beef and buffalo meat market in Bahrain expanded from 12 886 tons in 2018 to 13 847 tons in 2020, supported by consistent demand. In 2018, the adoption of the Gulf Standard GSO 996:2016 established quality requirements for fresh meat, shaping market standards. Throughout this phase, the market remained heavily dependent on imported chilled and frozen meat, which constituted about 90% of the supply in central Manama.

Market volume dipped to 13 634 tons in 2021 as consumers shifted toward poultry following lower poultry prices and the recovery of tourism and travel after the pandemic. A sharp rebound to 14 651 tons occurred in 2022 after the Bahrain Livestock Company halted operations at the central slaughterhouse in Sitra and stopped importing live sheep from Australia. This disruption eliminated locally slaughtered meat and increased reliance on imported meat, driving up import volumes.

The market contracted to 11 552 tons in 2023, a period marked by growing competition in the GCC red meat sector with more brands and origins available. Overall, Bahrain's market structure continued to rely on imported chilled and frozen products, with seasonal demand around Ramadan periodically influencing prices and supply.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Bahrain

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat production saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 841.8 tonnes, marking an 11.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production dropped to 760.1 tonnes, a decrease of 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 3.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bahrain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Bahrain

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat exports rebounded. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 79 tonnes, a sharp drop of 36.1% from the previous year. By 2020, exports increased to 133 tonnes, representing a significant uptick of 67.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 25.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bahrain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat exports in volume terms were Kuwait, accounting for 31.2% of exports, Bunkers at 16.1%, and the United Arab Emirates at 15.3%. Together, these three destinations represented 62.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bahrain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for beef and buffalo meat exports from Bahrain showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports reached their highest value at 1 200 thousand US dollars, but by 2019, they fell to a low of 453 thousand US dollars, a decline of 62.3% from the previous year. The difference between these peak and trough years was 2.7-fold. By 2020, exports recovered to 968 thousand US dollars, marking a 114.0% increase compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bahrain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat exports in value terms were Kuwait, which accounted for 39.8% of exports, the United Arab Emirates at 13.1%, and Bunkers at 12.5%. Collectively, these three markets made up 65.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Bahrain in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Bahrain

Imports in kind, t

Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat imports continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 13 220 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 16%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bahrain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat imports in volume terms were India, which accounted for 48.7% of imports, Pakistan at 22.9%, and Brazil at 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented 76.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bahrain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports peaked at 63 957 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 7.9% increase from the previous year. However, by 2019, imports dropped to 62 300 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 2.9% from 2018. In 2020, imports further declined to 61 180 thousand US dollars, a slight reduction of 1.5% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bahrain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Bahrain's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms were India, accounting for 34.1% of imports, Pakistan at 21.1%, and the United States at 11.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 66.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Bahrain in value, 2017-2020