Chicken meat and offal market in Bahrain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Bahrain's chicken meat market volume grew from 63 101 t to 69 803 t. In 2021, the market contracted sharply to 52 343 t, before rebounding to 64 094 t in 2022. The recovery in 2022 was driven by a 90% surge in demand for fresh farm chicken at Manama's central market, reflecting strong consumer preference. The market then stabilized at 62 740 t in 2023.

The local poultry sector underwent significant restructuring. In 2021, financial losses led to the closure of 90% of chicken breeding farms, pressuring producers to renegotiate prices with major supplier Delmon Poultry. By 2023, the fresh chicken market was dominated by only five brands, indicating high concentration. In 2024, Delmon Poultry stopped fresh chicken production entirely from January 1, focusing only on frozen supply, while a new chick hatchery opened to boost processing capacity.

External shocks and regulatory measures also shaped the market. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted feed prices and shipping, pushing up chicken prices by 33% in 2024. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Municipalities issued Decision No. 141 of 2024, setting licensing requirements for animal production facilities to enhance quality control. The government also acquired land for new poultry farms aiming to raise self-sufficiency to 50-55%.

Production chicken meat and offal in Bahrain

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Bahrain's chicken meat and offal production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7 296 tonnes, which represents a substantial decrease of 18.2% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 041 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.3%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Bahrain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bahrain exported 463 tonnes of chicken meat and offal, marking a sharp increase of 45.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 22.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 319 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 with 507 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 37.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Bahrain's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms were Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait. Together, these countries accounted for 70.8% 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, M $ US

Export values showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2020, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from Bahrain reached 2.1 million US dollars, a substantial increase of 74.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 40.5%, while the most significant increase happened in 2018 with a 140.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Bahrain's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were Saudi Arabia (42.1% of total export value), the United States (19.2%), and Kuwait (11.6%). These three markets together represented 72.9% 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 chicken meat and offal to Bahrain

Imports in kind, t

Bahrain's imports of chicken meat and offal have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 62 970 tonnes, showing a significant gain of 10.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 25.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three principal sources for Bahrain's chicken meat and offal imports in volume terms were Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and China. Together, these countries supplied 78.0% 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, M $ US

Bahrain's imports of chicken meat and offal in value terms have also risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 120.6 million US dollars, representing a moderate increase of 4.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 23%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the main sources for Bahrain's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms were Brazil (44.8% of total import value), Saudi Arabia (29.1%), and China (10.8%). These three countries jointly accounted for 84.7% 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