| Product Code: ETC386504 | Publication Date: Aug 2022 | Updated Date: Jan 2026 | Product Type: Market Research Report | |
| Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Sumit Sagar | No. of Pages: 75 | No. of Figures: 35 | No. of Tables: 20 |
Bahrain import trend for freshwater fish in 2024 showed a growth rate of 12.61% compared to 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.96% from 2020 to 2024. This import momentum can be attributed to a sustained demand shift towards high-quality seafood products, indicating market stability and consumer preference for freshwater fish in Bahrain.

By 2027, the Freshwater Fish market in Bahrain is anticipated to reach a growth rate of 1.73%, as part of an increasingly competitive Middle East region, where Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront, supported by United Arab Emirates, Iran, Qatar and Kuwait, driving innovations and market adoption across sectors.

Freshwater fish are not native to Bahrain`s marine ecosystem, but the market is sustained through imports and aquaculture. Species such as tilapia, catfish, and carp are commonly consumed by certain communities and are available in frozen or fresh forms. Local aquaculture projects are expanding the availability of these species to reduce import dependency.
The freshwater fish market in Bahrain is small but growing, supported by aquaculture and specialty imports. Tilapia is the leading species, valued for its adaptability and consumer familiarity. Freshwater species are increasingly featured in both retail and restaurant menus, indicating rising consumer acceptance.
The freshwater fish market in Bahrain is underdeveloped due to the countrys natural geographic limitations and arid climate. There are few freshwater bodies suitable for fish farming, making local production extremely limited. Imported freshwater species are available but face high tariffs and inconsistent supply. Consumer preference for saltwater fish further suppresses demand. Additionally, freshwater aquaculture faces significant technical and environmental barriers. This keeps the market small and dependent on niche buyers or specialty markets.
The freshwater fish market in Bahrain holds significant investment potential, with rising consumer interest in healthy, locally sourced seafood options. Bahrains focus on developing its aquaculture sector makes it an attractive market for freshwater fish farming, particularly for species such as tilapia and catfish. Investors can take advantage of this by setting up sustainable freshwater fish farms that cater to the growing demand for affordable and nutritious fish. Additionally, as Bahrain seeks to reduce its dependency on imported seafood, locally farmed freshwater fish can fill the supply gap, offering great opportunities for both domestic and export markets. With the government`s support for the aquaculture industry, this sector promises strong growth potential.
The freshwater fish market in Bahrain is primarily supported through controlled aquaculture and limited natural resources, as the country has few inland water bodies. Government policy emphasizes sustainable production through recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and biofloc technology, which are eligible for innovation grants. Licensing for freshwater fish farms is overseen by the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, which also supports technical training programs for new entrants. Import regulations ensure that only certified disease-free freshwater fish species are allowed into the country. The government encourages collaboration with international fish farming companies to transfer best practices and boost domestic supply. This market is gradually gaining traction as demand rises for healthy and locally sourced protein.
Export potential enables firms to identify high-growth global markets with greater confidence by combining advanced trade intelligence with a structured quantitative methodology. The framework analyzes emerging demand trends and country-level import patterns while integrating macroeconomic and trade datasets such as GDP and population forecasts, bilateral import–export flows, tariff structures, elasticity differentials between developed and developing economies, geographic distance, and import demand projections. Using weighted trade values from 2020–2024 as the base period to project country-to-country export potential for 2030, these inputs are operationalized through calculated drivers such as gravity model parameters, tariff impact factors, and projected GDP per-capita growth. Through an analysis of hidden potentials, demand hotspots, and market conditions that are most favorable to success, this method enables firms to focus on target countries, maximize returns, and global expansion with data, backed by accuracy.
By factoring in the projected importer demand gap that is currently unmet and could be potential opportunity, it identifies the potential for the Exporter (Country) among 190 countries, against the general trade analysis, which identifies the biggest importer or exporter.
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