Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market Analysis
The Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market size is estimated at USD 0.47 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 0.62 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.70% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
Bahrain faces agricultural challenges due to high temperatures, limited arable land, water scarcity, and increasing groundwater salinity. The government is increasing agricultural financing to attract foreign investments in agricultural projects to meet local demand. The country's primary crops include dates, figs, mangos, pomegranates, melons, papayas, water turnips, potatoes, and tomatoes. Date production increased from 13.8 thousand metric tons in 2022 to 14.1 thousand metric tons in 2023. Vegetables, predominantly grown in winter (80%), represent the main cash crops. Tomatoes lead vegetable production, followed by cucumber, lettuce, okra, and onion. FAOSTAT reports okra production increased from 664 metric tons in 2022 to 695 metric tons in 2023.
Agricultural production has improved through advanced techniques, including hydroponics, and better infrastructure connecting farmers to urban areas. Vegetable cultivation occurs in open fields and controlled environments, such as polytunnels and greenhouses, with the latter commonly used for tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants. The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) and STC Bahrain signed an agreement in December 2022 to upgrade the Bahraini Farmers Market infrastructure at the Budaiya Botanical Garden. The agreement includes market infrastructure enhancement and setup renovation over four seasons to support fruit and vegetable farmers.
Growing health consciousness among Bahraini consumers has increased demand for fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialty stores have expanded their organic and premium produce sections to meet this demand. Modern retail and e-commerce expansion has strengthened the fruits and vegetables market. Major retailers like Lulu Hypermarket and Al Jazira have increased their fresh produce sections, offering diverse imported and local options. The combination of increasing consumption and government support for local farming continues to drive market growth.
Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market Trends
Rising Import of Fruits and Vegetables in the Country
Bahrain's fruits and vegetables market is heavily dependent on imports due to the country's limited agricultural resources and arid climate. With a scarcity of arable land and freshwater, Bahrain produces only a small portion of its fresh produce domestically, making imports the primary source of supply. This reliance on imported fruits and vegetables influences price stability, availability, and consumer choices. India, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) serve as the main suppliers, ensuring a steady flow of fresh produce throughout the year.
The intraregional trade between Middle Eastern countries shows Bahrain as a net importer of various fruits and vegetables, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as major trading partners. However, Bahrain maintains a net exporter position for tomatoes within the region. According to the ITC Trade Map, Bahrain's crucifer imports reached USD 4.1 million in 2023, up from USD 3.9 million in the previous year. The demand for fresh produce continues to drive import growth. According to the ITC Trade Map, banana imports increased from 17.8 thousand metric tons in 2022 to 19.9 thousand metric tons in 2023. The Philippines, Ecuador, and India dominate banana imports with value shares of 49%, 24.1%, and 16.6%, respectively. India’s Agriculture and Processed Food Products Authority (APEDA) with Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) exports apples to Bahrain. The country's free-trade agreement (FTA) with the United States has strengthened its trade relations with North and South American countries.
Bahrain's well-established logistics and trade infrastructure facilitates efficient importation and distribution. The country's strategic location in the Gulf region, complemented by modern facilities like Khalifa Bin Salman Port, enables effective handling of perishable goods. Cold storage facilities and supply chain improvements help maintain produce quality and reduce post-harvest losses. The country's dependency on foreign suppliers, combined with strong logistics infrastructure, trade agreements, and evolving consumer preferences, ensures a continuous supply of fresh produce. Despite challenges such as price fluctuations and global supply chain disruptions, Bahrain's reliance on fruit and vegetable imports remains essential for meeting domestic demand and sustaining market growth.
Tomatoes Consumption Dominates the Fresh Vegetables
Tomatoes maintain a significant position in Bahrain's vegetable market as one of the most consumed and traded vegetables. Their extensive use in cooking, consistent demand from households and food service sectors, and continuous availability throughout the year establish their market prominence. While Bahrain's domestic production remains limited, the country fulfills its tomato requirements through imports from major producers including Jordan, Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The market continues to expand with growing demand for fresh, processed, and organic tomatoes.
Bahrain's dependence on tomato imports ensures steady supply and market stability. The country imports substantial quantities from neighboring nations, primarily Jordan and Egypt, due to their suitable growing conditions and extensive production capabilities. According to ITC Trade Map, Bahrain's tomato imports reached USD 15.8 million in 2023, up from USD 15.4 million in 2022, with Jordan accounting for 61% of import value. These countries supply various tomato varieties at competitive prices, meeting both standard and premium market segments. Bahrain's modern cold chain infrastructure and efficient ports facilitate smooth tomato distribution across retail and wholesale channels.
Tomatoes maintain their market position through competitive pricing and wide availability. They are offered in multiple forms, including fresh, organic, and processed varieties. FAOSTAT data indicates domestic tomato production increased to 9.5 thousand metric tons in 2023 from 8.9 thousand metric tons in 2022. The extended shelf life of tomatoes, particularly in processed forms, benefits both consumers and businesses. The extensive distribution network, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and traditional markets, provides consumers with diverse options across price points.
The market is evolving with increased demand for organic and hydroponic tomatoes. Health-conscious consumers are seeking pesticide-free and locally grown options. Despite Bahrain's challenging climate for conventional farming, modern technologies like hydroponics and greenhouse cultivation enable local farms to produce fresh tomatoes. These developments support national food security while providing alternatives to imported produce. Hence, Tomatoes maintain their market dominance through widespread culinary applications, established import channels, competitive pricing, and increasing demand for fresh and processed varieties.
Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market News
- March 2024: Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah) partnered with Badia Farms to develop and produce fruits, vegetables, and plants using controlled environment agriculture methods in Bahrain. The multi-million dollar investment aims to strengthen Bahrain's agricultural industry through sustainable farming practices.
- December 2022: The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) and STC Bahrain signed an agreement in December 2022 to upgrade the Bahraini Farmers Market infrastructure at the Budaiya Botanical Garden. The agreement includes market infrastructure enhancement and setup renovation over four seasons to support fruit and vegetable farmers.
- December 2022: The National Initiative for Agricultural Development (NIAD) established several high-quality greenhouses with the latest technologies in cooperation with a number of government institutions, civil society organizations, and educational institutions to spread agricultural skills across various levels.
Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Industry Segmentation
Fruits and vegetables are important supplements to the human diet as they provide the essential nutrients required for maintaining health. Bahrain is one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables in the world, and it produces several horticultural crops, namely apple, banana, orange, pomegranate, guava, dates, tomato, potato, onion, chili, ginger, garlic, eggplant, pea, beans, and okra. The Bahrain's fruits and vegetables market is segmented by Crop Type (Fruits and Vegetables). The market includes Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Value and Volume), Export Analysis (Value and Volume), Import Analysis (Value and Volume), and Price Trend Analysis. The report offers the market size and forecasts in terms of volume (Metric Tons) and value in (USD) for all the above segments.
Crop type (Production Analysis, Consumption Analysis by Value and Volume, Import Analysis by Value and Volume, Export Analysis by Value and Volume, and Price Trend Analysis) | Vegetables |
Fruits |
Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market Research FAQs
How big is the Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market?
The Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 0.47 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 5.70% to reach USD 0.62 billion by 2030.
What is the current Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market size?
In 2025, the Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 0.47 billion.
What years does this Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market size was estimated at USD 0.44 billion. The report covers the Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Bahrain Fruits & Vegetables analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.