Milk and cream market in Bahrain

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not concentrated, not sweetened milk and cream in Bahrain expanded in physical volume from 27 655 t in 2018 to 41 373 t in 2023. A significant surge occurred in 2020 when volume reached 35 550 t. However, in 2021, volume declined to 33 918 t as high food price inflation, with increases of up to 100% for items like cooking oil, raised costs across the dairy sector and tempered consumer demand.

Market volume stabilized in 2022 at 34 158 t and then jumped by 21% to 41 373 t in 2023. The market value in U.S. dollars followed a different trajectory, falling from $29.8 million in 2018 to $24.5 million in 2021 before recovering to $29.1 million in 2023, reflecting the impact of global supply chain disruptions on import prices and local costs during the period.

In 2024, regulatory focus shifted with the Ministry of Trade enforcing Executive Decree No. 17/362 to prevent subsidized milk meant for household consumption from being used by commercial establishments like cafes and hotels, aiming to ensure its distribution to targeted beneficiaries. This action was taken alongside broader growth in the food and beverage sector, supported by a 3.8% expansion in non-oil economic activity.

Production milk and cream in Bahrain

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

In 2019, Bahrain's milk and cream production reached its peak at 12 080 tonnes, marking the largest annual increase of 9.1%. However, production declined to 10 456 tonnes in 2020, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 13.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production fell by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of milk and cream production in Bahrain was 8 130 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 29.3% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 2.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 31.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -11.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bahrain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports milk and cream from Bahrain

Exports in kind, t

Bahrain's milk and cream exports reached their highest volume in 2019 at 5 625 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 23.1% recorded that year. Following two years of growth, exports declined to 3 978 tonnes in 2020, down 29.3% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Somalia formed the core export markets for Bahrain's milk and cream in volume terms. Kuwait accounted for 39.4% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 25.7%, and Somalia for 13.4%, together representing 78.6% 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

Bahrain's milk and cream exports reached their peak value in 2019 at 5 358 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 15.2% recorded that year. After two years of growth, exports declined to 3 093 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a dramatic drop of 42.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 24.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia were the largest buyers of Bahrain's milk and cream in value terms. Kuwait accounted for 34.8% of export value, the United Arab Emirates for 23.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 19.9%, together forming 77.8% of total exports.

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

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

Imports milk and cream to Bahrain

Imports in kind, t

Bahrain's milk and cream imports continued to grow for the third consecutive year, reaching 29 072 tonnes in 2020 with a 20.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 59.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Bahrain's milk and cream imports in volume terms, effectively monopolizing the market with a 93.7% share 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 milk and cream imports reached their highest value in 2018 at 23 178 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 16.6% recorded that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 8.4%. Imports then declined for the second consecutive year to 20 595 thousand US dollars in 2020, down 3.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Saudi Arabia concentrated 85.6% of Bahrain's milk and cream imports in value terms, while the remaining volume was distributed among many countries with smaller individual shares.

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

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