Bahrain's non-oil exports of national origin rise 12% to $2.8bn in Q3

26/11/2025 04:46 AST

Bahrain's non-oil exports of national origin climbed 12 percent year on year to 1.05 billion Bahraini dinars ($2.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, according to new government data.

Figures from the Information & eGovernment Authority's Foreign Trade report showed that the top 10 export destinations accounted for 69 percent of the total, the Bahrain News Agency reported.

The performance comes as Bahrain's real gross domestic product expanded 2.6 percent in 2024 despite tight financial conditions and global uncertainty, while inflation edged up to 0.9 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Growth is projected to accelerate to 2.9 percent in 2025 and 3.3 percent in 2026, supported by refinery upgrades and strength in tourism and financial services.

"Saudi Arabia ranked first among countries for the non-oil exports with 255 million dinars (24 percent). The US was second with 105 million dinars (10 percent) and the UAE was third with 97 million dinars (9 percent)," the BNA report stated.

It added: "Unwrought Aluminum Alloys recorded as the top products exported in Q3 2025 with 301 million dinars (28 percent), followed by Agglomerated Iron Ores and Concentrates Alloyed with a value of 157 million dinars (15 percent) and Unwrought Aluminum not alloyed with 59 million dinars (6 percent)."

Re-exports totaled 186 million dinars in the third quarter of 2025, a 2 percent annual decline, with the top 10 destinations making up 85 percent of the total.

The UAE led with 72 million dinars, accounting for 39 percent, followed by Saudi Arabia with 38 million dinars at 20 percent, and Hong Kong with 11 million dinars at 6 percent.

Four-wheel drive vehicles topped the list of re-exported products, totaling 29 million dinars and representing 16 percent, followed by wristwatches of precious metal valued at 10 million dinars, or 5 percent, with other aircraft parts ranking third at 8 million dinars, or 4 percent.

Non-oil imports increased 4 percent in the same period to 1.5 billion dinars, with the top 10 import partners accounting for 66 percent of the total.

"According to the report, China ranked first for imports to Bahrain, with a total of 205 million dinars (14%), followed by Australia with 129 million dinars (9%) and Brazil with 120 million dinars (8%)," the BNA report stated.

It added: "Non-Agglomerated Iron Ores and Concentrates recorded as the top product imported to Bahrain with a total value of 147 million dinars (10 percent), followed by Other Aluminum Oxide with 119 million dinars (8 percent) and Parts for Aircraft Engines being the third with 61 million dinars (4 percent)."

An IMF delegation led by John Bluedorn visited Manama from Nov. 9 to 20, 2025, for the Article IV consultation. The mission said medium-term real GDP growth is expected to average around 3 percent, driven by the non-hydrocarbon sector, which is forecast to account for nearly 90 percent of the economy by 2030. Inflation is projected to remain stable in 2025 before gradually rising toward 2 percent, while high debt levels are expected to persist without additional fiscal reforms.