Analysis and Studies - Country Analysis
Bahrain: a look at the market
January 20th 2025
Bahrain's Economic Overview
In 2022, Bahrain ranked as the 77th largest economy in the world by total exports and 98th by total imports, reflecting its significant role in regional trade despite its relatively small size.
Exports
Bahrain's primary export commodities in 2022 were: Raw Aluminium ($4.75B), Refined Petroleum ($4.3B), Iron Ore ($2.16B), Aluminium Wire ($729M), Aluminium Plating ($564M). The main export destinations were: Saudi Arabia ($3.03B), United Arab Emirates ($2.07B), United States ($1.83B), Japan ($1.07B), India ($928M). Notably, Bahrain was the world's leading exporter of Aluminium Wire, with exports valued at $729 million.
Imports
Bahrain's key import items in 2022 included: Iron Ore ($1.61B), Aluminium Oxide ($1.15B), Cars ($752M), Gold ($421M), Gas Turbines ($356M). The top sources for these imports were: China ($2.33B), United Arab Emirates ($1.8B), Brazil ($1.43B), Australia ($1.25B), India ($1.02B). Additionally, Bahrain stood out as the largest global importer of Pitch Coke in 2022, with imports worth $238 million.
Geographical Context
Bahrain is a strategically located island nation in the Arabian Gulf. It shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, reinforcing its position as a critical hub for trade and commerce in the region. This overview highlights Bahrain's substantial reliance on aluminium-related products and its close economic ties with neighboring countries and key global markets.
Most Specialized Products by RCA Index
Bahrain demonstrates a high degree of specialization in several key products, as measured by the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) index. The highest specialization levels are observed in: Aluminium Wire (RCA: 135), Stranded Aluminium Wire (RCA: 125), Raw Aluminium (RCA: 59), Aluminium Powder (RCA: 31.9), Ammonia (RCA: 29.7)
The RCA index quantifies specialization by comparing Bahrain’s observed exports in a product to its expected exports, highlighting industries where Bahrain has a competitive edge.
Source: BACI HS6 REV. 1992, covering the period from 1995 to 2022.
Source: https://oec.world/
