Page 21 - AA 2023 Year Book Website

Bahrain

BAHRAIN AGRICULTURE MARKET (2023 - 2028)

Bahrain Agriculture emerged as one of the largest exporters
with a market share of about 16.3% in
Market Analysis 2021.
Agriculture in Bahrain is projected to • However, commercial hydroponic
register a CAGR of 1.9% during the fore- farming facilities are increasing in Bah-
cast period. rain with a promising future. Bahrain is
taking definite steps towards self-sus-
• Bahrain has been a net importer of taining certain food items by adopting
fruits and vegetables to other gulf mem-
ber countries and countries in North • Bahrain is ramping up efforts to im- hydroponic practices. Therefore, adopt-
ing new technologies for producing
America and South America due to trade prove food security in the country. The
agreements with the countries such as Bahrain government planned a new food fruits and vegetables is expected to help
decrease dependency on imports.
the United States and Saudi Arabia, and security production strategy to increase
the country is one of the major produc- local production. In 2022, The National Bahrain Agriculture Market
ers of dates globally. Initiative for Agricultural Development News
(NIAD) was working on several projects
• Bahrain is characterized by high that contribute to the support of agricul-
temperatures, limited arable land, water • May 2022: The National Initiative
scarcity, and increasing groundwater sa- tural workers, increase green spaces, for Agricultural Development (NIAD)
stimulate and support agricultural manu-
linity resulting in limited crops grown in launched an agricultural platform to
the country. The national government is facturing industries, and increase exper- unite efforts toward developing and
tise in agriculture through education and
focusing on intensifying the finance for training. strengthening the agricultural sector in
agriculture and livestock to attract for- Bahrain.
eign investments for agriculture projects • In the project, the authority is working • August 2021: Indian farmers export-
to keep up with local demand. with public and private sector compa- ed five unique apple varieties such as
nies to provide the required funding for
• The rise in consumption, advanced Royal Delicious, Dark Baron Gala, Scarlet
technologies, and low water require- the Agriculture and Marine Resources Spur, Red Velox, and Golden, from Him-
Project to establish a plant specialized in
ments for horticulture are the major achal Pradesh to Bahrain. These varieties
drivers behind the growth of the market producing and packing Bahraini dates in were exported by Delicious Agriculture
Hoorat A’ali. Therefore, with such initia-
studied. Bahrain has a negligible pro- tives, the market is anticipated to witness and Processed Food Products Authority
duction of cereals and other agricultural growth during the forecasted period. (APEDA) in partnership with Himachal
products, contributing to high food im- Pradesh Horticultural Produce Market-
ports to meet the local demand. Water Decreasing Dependency ing and Processing Corporation (HPMC)
constraints and the unavailability of agri- on Imports to the country.
cultural land are the major constraints in • June 2021: The Cabinet approved a
crop production in Bahrain. • The hot climate and lack of water new strategy to address Bahrain’s food
Bahrain Agriculture resources are the main factors for the security challenges. The government
region’s low agricultural output growth.
identified 20 locations for food security
Market Trends Bahrain is a net importer of various food projects that focus on hydroponics and
grains, but with modern technology, Bah- aquaculture, as achieving food self-suffi-
Government Initiative to Boost Domes-
tic Production rain is actively trying to tackle the issue ciency remains high on the agenda.
of food security. Bahrain imports 90%
• The government has provided subsi- of its food supplies to meet the demand
dies and partnerships with technology for RTE salad mix and exotic vegetables
ADVERTISE IN THE
companies to increase green cover and such as cherry tomatoes and baby car- ADVERTISE IN THE
production as it highly depends on im- rots to be available on the hypermarket
ARAB WORLD
ports. Alternative production techniques shelves. ARAB WORLD
such as hydroponic and aquaponic farm- • An increase in population and grow-
AGRIBUSINESS
ing have a lot of plus factors, especially AGRIBUSINESS
when practiced in an arid environment, ing awareness about healthy lifestyles
MAGAZINE AND
such as Bahrain. are the factors responsible for the in- MAGAZINE AND
crease in consumption. For instance, in
• The major crops grown are dates, 2021, Serbia exported 839 metric tons
PROMOTE YOUR
figs, mangos, pomegranates, melons, pa- of fresh apples to Bahrain and became PROMOTE YOUR
payas, water turnips, potatoes, tomatoes, one of the six largest supplying coun-
PRODUCTS
and produce poultry and dairy products tries, and Indian farmers exported five PRODUCTS
for the local market. varieties of apples to Bahrain, and India
Arab Agriculture 2023 19