Bahrain: Date Market 2025

Date Market Size in Bahrain

The Bahraini date market was estimated at $X in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Date consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Date Production in Bahrain

In value terms, date production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average date yield in Bahrain fell to X tons per ha, stabilizing at 2021. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the average date yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of dates were harvested in Bahrain; leveling off at the year before. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 15%. The date harvested area peaked at X ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Date Exports

Exports from Bahrain

In 2022, date exports from Bahrain skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 27% on the year before. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 234%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, date exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 334%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), El Salvador (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) were the main destinations of date exports from Bahrain, with a combined 52% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for El Salvador (with a CAGR of +629.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, El Salvador ($X), Ireland ($X) and Switzerland ($X) constituted the largest markets for date exported from Bahrain worldwide, together accounting for 50% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, El Salvador, with a CAGR of +1,352.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average date export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was El Salvador ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+463.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Date Imports

Imports into Bahrain

In 2022, approx. X tons of dates were imported into Bahrain; growing by 4.6% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 61%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, date imports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 42%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the largest date supplier to Bahrain, accounting for a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, date imports from Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Jordan (X tons), sixfold. Iran (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Saudi Arabia totaled +10.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Jordan (+38.5% per year) and Iran (+35.9% per year).

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of dates to Bahrain, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Jordan ($X), with an 8% share of total imports. It was followed by Iran, with a 3.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Saudi Arabia stood at +9.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Jordan (+26.2% per year) and Iran (+32.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average date import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -5.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 13%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the price for Iran ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (-0.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform