Bahrain’s cattle hide trade rebounds in 2024 despite production slump
Bahrain’s cattle hide and skin market showed signs of recovery in 2024 after years of decline. The sector’s value reached $231,000, though production and consumption levels remained below past peaks. Trade flows have shifted, with key partners in the Gulf and South Asia playing a growing role in imports and exports.
The country’s cattle hide and skin production fell in 2024, with fewer animals slaughtered compared to previous years. Around X heads were processed, yielding an average of X kg of raw hides per animal. Despite reduced local output, imports of raw cattle hides rose in 2024, reaching X kg after nearly a decade of decline. The UK remained the top supplier, providing a significant share of Bahrain’s imports.
Bahrain’s cattle hide and skin sector is adjusting to changing trade dynamics. While local production has shrunk, rising imports and stronger export figures point to shifting supply chains. The country’s reliance on Gulf partners for imports and South Asian markets for processing remains central to the industry’s future.
