2011 Bahrain Country Commercial Guide - US - Export.gov

Agricultural Sectors Return to top
High value U.S. food and beverage products with strong market potential in Bahrain
include, in decreasing order: frozen poultry parts; snack foods; processed fruits and
vegetables; frozen beef; fresh apples and pears; beer; tree nuts, particularly almonds;
dairy products, particularly cheeses; seafood, particularly crab; fruit and vegetable
juices; breakfast cereals; prepared meats; packaged rice; dry pulses; and miscellaneous
food products, particularly hot sauces, salad dressings, catsup, mayonnaise, vinegar,
iodized salt, frozen dough mixes and coffee whiteners. In addition, growth in the local
food processing industry will continue to spur demand for beverage bases. Growth in
the hotel/restaurant sector may lead to increased demand for U.S. beef products, bakery
ingredients, wines and beer.
Frozen/Chilled Beef Return to top
Beef* 2008 2009 2010
A. Total Market Size 4.9 5.1 5.2
B. Total Local Production ** ** **
C. Total Exports 0 0 0
D. Total Imports 4.9 5.1 5.2
E. Total Imports from U.S. 0.9 1 1.12
* Estimates in thousand metric tons Source: ATO-Dubai estimates
** Negligible
The rapidly expanding hotel/restaurant (HRI) sector, including American fast food/quick
service restaurants, prompted a notable increase in imports of U.S. beef. India and
Australia dominate the frozen beef market, while imports from Europe, specifically from
Ireland, France and the Netherlands, have been curtailed due to the incidence of BSE in
that region. Bahrain did not impose a ban on U.S. beef imports after a case of BSE was
reported in late 2003.
Poultry Meat Return to top
Poultry Meat* 2008 2009 2010
A. Total Market Size 30.5 31 31
B. Total Local Production 4 4 4
C. Total Exports 0 0 0
D. Total Imports 26.5 27 27
E. Total Imports from U.S. 2.6 2.8 2.8
* Estimates in thousand metric tons *Source: ATO-Dubai estimates
U.S. poultry meat, particularly chicken parts and to a lesser degree whole chickens and
turkey, are well known for their high quality. This past year witnessed a large influx of
brand-name chicken parts at very competitive prices. Brazil, France, Saudi Arabia and
Denmark dominate the market for frozen whole chickens. Brazil and the U.S. dominate
the market for chicken parts. Whole chickens represent 90 percent of total chicken meat
imports. The preferred size for chicken ranges from 900-1,200 grams per bird. Chicken
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