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Bahrain

Bahrain Aquaculture Market Analysis

The Bahrain aquaculture market size was valued at USD
430.28 million in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD
453.64 million in 2026 to reach USD 590.72 million by
2031, at a CAGR of 5.43% during the forecast period (2026-
2031). This growth reflects the kingdom’s decisive pivot
toward controlled farming systems after the March 2024
export ban on wild-caught seafood redirected premium
tuna, mackerel, and shrimp to domestic shelves. Govern-
ment subsidies covering up to 60% of recirculating-system
capital costs, low-cost seawater supplied from industrial
outfalls, and rising health-driven seafood consumption
underpin steady demand and investment. Processors are
deploying blockchain traceability and halal-certification
technologies to defend their share in high-margin Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. Foreign-currency
exposure on imported feed and fingerlings, together with
summer disease outbreaks linked to Vibrio, remain key
margin headwinds.
Government Food-Security Subsidies for Aquaculture
Expansion
The Supreme Council for Environment finalized a sub-
sidy framework in February 2025 that reimburses up to
60% of capital expenditures for recirculating aquaculture
systems, hatchery equipment, and biosecurity upgrades.
The scheme aims to achieve an annual output of 9,250
metric tons and 50–62% seafood self-sufficiency, thereby
directly offsetting Bahrain’s reliance on imports for its pro-
tein intake. Training delivered through the Ras Hayyan
National Aquaculture Centre and Tamkeen equips 15–20
entrepreneurs each year with feed-conversion and pond-
management skills. Four Food and Agriculture Organiza-
tion technical cooperation agreements signed in 2024 nama’s wholesale district increased in 2024, underscoring
include disease surveillance data, climate-resilient spe- a robust domestic demand. Social-media health content
cies screening, and genetic programs for rabbitfish and amplifies consumer awareness, strengthening demand for
grouper. Mandatory ISO 22000 compliance incorporates
traceability and hazard analysis controls into farm design lean marine protein.
from the outset. Advances in Aquaculture Technology
Rising Domestic Seafood Consumption Driven by Recirculating systems equipped with biofloc reactors
Health Awareness and sensor-based monitoring are now operational at Alba
Fish Farm, achieving stocking densities of up to 60 kg/m³,
Per-capita seafood intake continues to climb as the Min-
istry of Health’s 2024 dietary guidelines recommend three triple the benchmark of open-pond systems, while reduc-
weekly servings of fish. Urban households in Manama and ing freshwater use. Bahrain Petroleum Company’s 2024
Muharraq now favor sashimi-grade tuna and ceviche- study integrates shrimp hatcheries with GE mobile de-
ready shrimp, while cold-chain investments by Banader salination units, leveraging waste heat and brine streams.
Fish Processing enable same-day island-wide delivery. Oxygen-injection systems and IoT-enabled ammonia
The export ban redirects premium pelagic landings into alerts have lowered grouper mortality. Tamkeen training
local channels, broadening access and moderating prices modules on biofloc and diagnostics reduce dependence
for middle-income buyers. Cold-store utilization in Ma- on expatriate technicians. Initial blockchain pilots attach
12 Arab Agriculture 2026