Page 22 - AA 2023 Year Book Website

Bahrain

BAHRAIN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE MARKET ANALYSIS

The Bahraini Fisheries and aquaculture larly Saudi Arabia is the main factor pro- According to the International Trade
market is projected to grow at a CAGR of pelling the demand. Centre (ITC) in 2021, Thailand, Sri Lanka,
4.3% during the forecast period. and Indonesia are the major exporters of
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a coastline
• The Bahraini Fisheries and aquacul- of 950 km, a continental shelf of approxi- live fish to the Bahrain market. Thailand
ture sector is a niche market and the gov- mately 10,000 sq. km, and a land territory alone accounts for around 40% of the ex-
ernment represented by the Directorate of around 760 sq. km. Even though most ports of live fish to Bahrain, followed by
of Fisheries, has established the National of the production is marketed locally, the Sri Lanka at around 20%.
Mariculture Centre (NMC), to undertake export market is growing. The Ministry The government is actively seeking
applied research in the field. The NMC planned to develop and increase pro- Bahraini and foreign private investments
is the source of marine fish seed for all duction efficiency in the National Centre in large fish farming projects. Previ-
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) coun- for Mariculture, which aims to produce ously, most such activities were funded
tries and other member countries of the 20 million fingerlings by 2025. by development agencies from other
Regional Commission for Fisheries (RE- Gulf countries (particularly Kuwait, UAE,
COFI). The country can likewise earn Significant numbers of Sobaity bream, and Saudi Arabia). Foreign-owned com-
foreign exchange through the export of gilthead bream, and grouper juveniles panies are eligible for partial financing
aquatic products. In the long run, invest- have been exported to all the countries from the state-owned Bahraini Develop-
ment in the development of an aquacul- in the region. Due to the scarcity of fresh- ment Bank (BDB), to develop fish farm-
ture sector is expected to contribute to water resources in Bahrain, all efforts ing projects in the country to ensure
the food security and self-sufficiency of have been diverted towards marine spe- food safety and security. There are many
Bahrain. cies, and there are minimal land-based benefits for investing in fish farming
cultural activities carried out in tanks. such as reducing the pressure on natural
sites has been trending in the pres- This will boost the market to grow in resources while also releasing fish fin-
ent days due to the advantage of product coming years. gerlings raised in the farm into the wild
accessibility and the better reach of the to restock Bahrain’s marine population.
products to the consumers. Thus, the sale Rise in Live Fish Imports This will raise opportunities for the coun-
of fisheries products through online por- in the Country try to grow and boost the growth of the
tals is expected to increase in the com- The value of fish and fishery imports market during the forecasting period.
ing years. was USD 430 thousand in 2020, which
• The Ministry of Agriculture is exert- rose to USD 513 thousand in 2021, as per
ing considerable effort to fully develop ITC Trademap. The shrimp fishery is tra-
aquaculture in suitable coastal and inte- ditionally the most important fishery in
rior areas to augment food security and Bahrain because the total catches have
self-sufficiency. With consumption likely shown a generally increasing trend in
to continue to rise, aquaculture has be- the species but, the composition of lands
come the most realistic way to meet the has changed significantly with declines
demand. Recently, government initia- in catches of some originally targeted
tives to enhance domestic production species (e.g. groupers). So, the country
have also been increasing. These factors has increased the catch of crustaceans
are strenghtening the growth of the mar- (shrimps and crabs) and other finfish.
ket during the forecast period.
Production (Tonnes) of some agricultural commodities in Bahrain (2020- 2021)
Bahrain Fisheries and Item 2020 Flag 2021 Flag
Aquaculture Market Trends Cabbages 900 A 920 A
Carrots and turnips 35 A 35 A
Increasing Exports to Saudi Ara- Cauliflowers and broccoli 1230 A 1200 A
bia is Driving the Market Cucumbers and gherkins 2900 A 3300 A
The Ministry of Works, Municipalities Dates 13800 A 14100 A
Affairs, and Urban Planning is moving Eggplants (aubergines) 1500 A 1590 A
forward with fish farming projects with Grapes 153.9 I 154.76 I
an aim to raise the local production of Lemons and limes 1111.87 I 1119.23 I
fish and ensure food security and self- Lettuce and chicory 960 A 1050 A
sufficiency. According to ITC Trademap, Okra 57 A 64 A
the value of fisheries export to Saudi Potatoes 30 A 32 A
Arabia saw an exponential rise in 2021. Tomatoes 6951 A 7800 A
The increasing demand for seafood in Watermelons 218.42 I 221.16 I
the Middle-Eastern countries, particu- A : Official figure | I : Imputed value | Source: FAO Statistical Division 2022
20 Arab Agriculture 2023