Why does Bahrain import much of its food?

Bahrain imports the majority of its food primarily because its geography is not conducive to large-scale agriculture. Less than 3 percent of the country's land is considered arable.1

While the northern and northwestern coasts feature fertile areas supported by artesian water, much of the country consists of rocky, barren, or sandy terrain. Furthermore, rapid economic development and population growth have placed significant strain on natural resources, including the country's limited water supply, which now relies heavily on desalination plants. Due to these environmental constraints, domestic agricultural production is limited, meeting only a portion of local needs for items such as vegetables and dairy products.21