Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Bahrain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market for fresh or chilled capsicum and pimenta fruits in Bahrain underwent a notable transformation in its supply base. Domestic production more than doubled, rising from 940 tonnes in 2018 to 2 430 tonnes in 2023, with a particularly sharp increase to 2 120 tonnes in 2021. Over the same period, imports, which had historically dominated supply, contracted from 12 444 tonnes to 3 057 tonnes, before showing a partial recovery to 10 814 tonnes in 2024.

The interplay of rising local output and falling imports led the total market volume to decline from 13 290 tonnes in 2018 to 10 530 tonnes in 2020, experience a modest rebound in 2021 and 2022, and then drop sharply to 5 474 tonnes in 2023. The steep decline in 2023 was primarily due to a drastic reduction in import volumes, which more than offset the steady growth in domestic production.

During this period, regional trade dynamics included Jordan's export of sweet peppers valued at USD 36 million in 2020, with identified opportunities for growth in Gulf markets such as Bahrain. This highlighted the potential for shifts in regional supply chains, even as Bahrain's own import levels fluctuated.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Bahrain

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Bahrain's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 960.0 t, marking a 0.9% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Bahrain

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced significant volatility during the observed period. In 2018, exports peaked at 94 t, but then dropped sharply to a low of 7 t in 2019—a 12.8-fold difference between these two years. By 2020, shipments rebounded to 41 t, representing a dramatic 457.9% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 92.2% drop, while the biggest gain was in 2018, at 528.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Bahrain's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume, accounting for 88.1% of the total. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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 exhibited notable volatility in these years. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2018 at 142 K $ US, then fell to a low of 37 K $ US in 2019—a 3.8-fold gap. In 2020, Bahrain exported 119 K $ US of capsicum and pimenta fruits, reflecting a steep 221.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 74.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Bahrain's exports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value were heavily concentrated in the United States, which held a 92.5% share of total 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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to Bahrain

Imports in kind, t

Bahrain's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 10 000 t, indicating a 14.3% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 19.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 12 444 t, with the largest increase that year at 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia (36.2% of imports in volume), Jordan (34.3%), and India (21.4%) consistently led Bahrain's import structure for capsicum and pimenta fruits. Together, these three countries accounted for 91.9% of total imports.

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 imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 6 952 K $ US, down by 10.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, India (40.7% of imports in value), Jordan (18.3%), and Saudi Arabia (16.9%) formed the core group of markets for Bahrain's imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits in value terms. Collectively, they represented 75.9% of total flows.

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

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