Bahrain heavily imports avocado for local consumption because it can’t grow its own. Its climate is desert with little rainfall at 70mm per annum, high humidity and high temperatures of over 35°C. Less than 3% of the land is arable and it is mainly used for vegetables and dry land crops like dates.
A bulk of avocados sold in Bahrain are found in wholesale markets. The biggest domestic market in the country is the Manama Central Market. The fruits and vegetables section has avocados for sale in both wholesale and retail prices. Hypermarkets, supermarkets and informal traders like fruit vendors and green groceries around Bahrain also trade in smaller quantities of avocado.
Bahrain Avocado Imports
Imports of avocado in Bahrain were valued at nearly 4.4 million US Dollars in 2020. Even though it’s a slight drop from the previous year, it is the other record high value since 2015. The sharpest climb was from 2013 to 2014 when the import value rose from about 1.3 million US Dollars to around 2.2 million US Dollars.
Here are the total values in import of avocados in Bahrain between 2011 and 2020.
Avocado Price in Bahrain per kg
The cost of a kilo of avocados in Bahrain can be between 1.51 Bahraini dinar (US4 dollars) and 1.88 Bahraini dinar (US5 dollars). This is based on the average import price per kg. This wholesale price has gone as low as 1.13 Bahraini dinar (US3 dollars).
Retail prices of avocado per piece vary from seller to seller. Customers can expect to buy a kilo of avocados from 2-4 Bahraini dinar at some retailers. Even as the selling price of Hass avocados is around 8 Bahraini dinar per kg. Market timing also determines the price range as late season avocados get a premium over early season avocados.
Being a seasonal fruit, avocado prices are adjusted based on supply. Bahrain imports a huge amount of avocado in March up to September when they are in season. Sometimes it brings in small quantities of avocado the rest of the year from countries whose season comes later.
Avocado in Bahrain
Bahrain is slowly becoming a high-value avocado market. The country takes in commercial varieties such as Hass and Fuerte. But it also brings in non-commercial green skin varieties. Many avocado consumers in Bahrain prefer green skin types of avocado because of their lower cost.
The logistical costs that come with importing avocados are a major factor in setting their retail prices. The closer the exporting country is to Bahrain, the cheaper the price for the consumer. The dark skin Hass avocado is gaining in market share little by little even if it costs more. Avocados exported to Bahrain are packed in both 4kg and 10kg cartons.
Avocado imports have to first go through the Bahrain Directorate of Customs Affairs. They are then tested using certain food safety protocols set by the Bahrain Ministry of Health (MOH). The government of Bahrain sets the requirements for importers of horticultural produce like avocado through the Department of Agriculture and Marine Resources.
Cartons of avocado must be labeled according to guidelines determined by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Arabic language is required on the label. Labels must include the following information:
- Name and address of producer
- Brand or trademark
- Country of origin
- Type of avocado and grade
- Storage instructions and temperature requirements
- Gross weight and number of avocados per carton
- Shelf life
- Harvest year and packing date
Avocados imported in Bahrain must undergo the pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) tests done by government laboratories. They should not exceed acceptable limits according to Codex, GSO and EU. MOH is responsible for the control of pesticides residue on avocado imports.