Wood charcoal market in Bahrain

Earlier Report Observations

The wood charcoal market in Bahrain experienced notable shifts between 2018 and 2021. Market volume rose to 12 588 t in 2019, then contracted sharply to 8 351 t in 2020 and stabilized around 8 300 t in 2021.

A strong rebound occurred in 2022, with market volume reaching 12 251 t. This recovery was supported by regulatory developments, including the Ministry of Environment's introduction of environmental requirements for modernized charcoal production models, coupled with financing through soft loans and 20% grants to help kiln owners upgrade. Simultaneously, new legislation allowing 100% foreign investment in 62 commercial activities encouraged the entry of new players into the market.

Market volume declined to 10 196 t in 2023. This contraction coincided with government measures to raise fuel prices and implement pricing mechanisms linked to global markets, which increased production and distribution costs for charcoal.

Production wood charcoal in Bahrain

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood charcoal, 2017-2020

Bahrain's wood charcoal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 194 tons of wood charcoal, marking a 1.0% year-on-year increase. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports wood charcoal from Bahrain

Exports in kind, t

The market experienced volatility during the observed period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 2.9-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Bahrain exported 525 tons of wood charcoal, a dramatic surge of 189.9% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 181 tons, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 41.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were the main buyers of wood charcoal from Bahrain, together accounting for 90.7% of total exports in volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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 wood charcoal export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 93 thousand US dollars, down 23.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 56.4%, translating to an annualized decrease of 24.2%. The peak value was in 2018 at 308 thousand US dollars, with the largest drop in 2019 at 60.8% and the biggest increase in 2018 at 44.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Saudi Arabia dominated Bahrain's wood charcoal exports in value terms, making up 84.4% of the total. The remaining exports were spread across a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports wood charcoal to Bahrain

Imports in kind, t

Bahrain imported 1 194 tons of wood charcoal in 2020, a decrease of 33.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 41.8%, with an annualized decline of 16.5%. The largest increase was in 2019, rising by 9.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore were the key sources of wood charcoal imports to Bahrain in volume terms. Indonesia accounted for 49.2%, Thailand for 25.2%, and Singapore for 6.7%, together representing 81.1% 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

After two years of growth, Bahrain's wood charcoal import value declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 194 thousand US dollars, down 27.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value fell by 18.6%, with an average annual decrease of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 036 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore remained the primary suppliers of wood charcoal to Bahrain in value terms. Indonesia contributed 42.1%, Thailand 32.7%, and Singapore 6.6%, collectively accounting for 81.4% of total import value.

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

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