Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh grapes in Bahrain are primarily supplied by imports, with only limited domestic production reported in FAOSTAT-derived datasets. UN Comtrade data via WITS shows Bahrain imported $7.29 million (2,732,230 kg) of fresh grapes (HS 080610) in 2023, led by India, Egypt, South Africa, Chile, and the United States. Imports are inspected at Bahrain’s points of entry under the Ministry of Health Food Control Section’s documented process, including documentary checks, physical inspection, and risk-based sampling and laboratory analysis. Phytosanitary compliance is a key market-access condition: GCC Plant Quarantine Law provisions reported via IPPC indicate plant products may require an import permit and/or a phytosanitary certificate, and non-compliance can lead to detention and rejection.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market supplied mainly by imported fresh table grapes; limited local production exists but is small relative to imports.
SeasonalityYear-round availability is largely driven by import programs, with supplier origin shifting across seasons to maintain continuity of supply.
Specification
Physical Attributes- At Bahrain entry points, quality evaluation commonly includes sensory attributes (appearance, odor, flavor, taste, texture) during inspection.
Packaging- Import inspection emphasizes correct label elements where applicable (e.g., product name, country of origin, storage instructions, production and expiry dates) and alignment with GCC/Bahrain labeling requirements.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Exporter pack/dispatch → refrigerated transport (sea/air) → Bahrain entry point inspection (documentary + physical; risk-based sampling/lab where required) → importer/wholesaler distribution → retail/foodservice
- If rejected: re-export to origin or destruction under Ministry of Health supervision
Temperature- Cold-chain integrity and (where applicable) container/flight temperature-record statements may be checked during inspection for chilled foods; delays can materially reduce marketable shelf life for fresh grapes.
Shelf Life- Date-marking and shelf-life compliance are emphasized in Bahrain’s import guidance for packaged foods; non-compliance can contribute to detention or rejection outcomes.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Phytosanitary HighFresh grapes are a plant product and are exposed to Bahrain/GCC plant quarantine controls; consignments may require an import permit and/or a valid phytosanitary certificate from the exporting NPPO, and inspection can lead to detention or rejection if requirements are not met.Confirm (before shipment) whether an import permit is required for the specific consignment; ensure the exporting NPPO issues a compliant phytosanitary certificate and align consignment details (origin, quantities, identifiers) across all documents.
Regulatory Compliance MediumBahrain’s import process includes documentary checks, physical inspection (including labeling elements where applicable), and risk-based sampling/lab analysis; outcomes can include detention pending results or rejection, which is commercially acute for perishable grapes.Run a pre-shipment document and label (where applicable) checklist aligned to Bahrain’s Food Importers Guide; plan contingency for detention time and maintain rapid communication with the importer and port health office.
Logistics MediumPerishable quality is sensitive to cold-chain breaks and border-processing delays; inspection holds, reefer issues, or missed delivery windows can reduce marketable shelf life and increase rejection risk.Use temperature-controlled logistics with verifiable temperature records; coordinate arrival timing, port handling, and last-mile distribution to minimize dwell time.
FAQ
Which documents are commonly required at Bahrain’s port of entry for imported fresh grapes?Bahrain’s Ministry of Health import guidance indicates importers typically submit a customs declaration copy, a packing list, and a delivery order or bill of lading, plus an original health certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of origin. For plant products, phytosanitary requirements apply: the GCC plant quarantine framework referenced via IPPC indicates an import permit and/or a phytosanitary certificate may be required.
Do fresh grapes shipped to Bahrain need a phytosanitary certificate?Yes. Bahrain’s IPPC reporting on import phytosanitary requirements states consignments of plants and plant products shipped to Bahrain should be accompanied by a valid phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), aligned to IPPC model certificates and relevant ISPM guidance.
Who were Bahrain’s largest suppliers of fresh grapes (HS 080610) in 2023?UN Comtrade data presented via the World Bank’s WITS tool shows Bahrain’s 2023 imports of fresh grapes (HS 080610) were led by India, Egypt, South Africa, Chile, and the United States by import value.