Bahrain Ranks Lowest in Total Rice Consumption Among Arab Nations
Ashwini Gambo
Bahrain Ranks Lowest in Total Rice Consumption Among Arab Nations-
Bahrain consumes the lowest total volume of rice among Arab nations, according to recent data released by World Population Review. The Kingdom’s annual rice consumption stands at 95,000 tons, placing it at the bottom of the list in terms of national totals.
However, the figures reveal a contrasting picture when individual dietary habits are considered. Bahrain’s low overall consumption is largely linked to its relatively small population rather than limited rice intake per person.
On a per capita basis, the average Bahraini consumes 64.8 kilograms of rice per year a figure that exceeds several larger Arab countries. Notably, this is significantly higher than Egypt’s per capita consumption of 49.4 kilograms, despite Egypt recording the highest total rice consumption in the Arab world at 5.48 million tons annually.
The report identifies Qatar as the leading Arab country in individual rice consumption, with an average of 93.3 kilograms per person per year. In contrast, North African nations show the lowest per capita rice consumption. Sudan records just 3.22 kilograms per person annually, followed by Morocco at 4.03 kilograms and Algeria at 5.9 kilograms, reflecting dietary preferences that favor wheat-based staples such as bread and couscous.
The findings reinforce a long-standing regional pattern, highlighting rice as a central staple of Gulf diets. All Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries included in the study recorded significantly higher per capita rice consumption than nations in the Levant and North Africa.
While Saudi Arabia ranks third in total rice consumption volume at 1.75 million tons annually, its per capita consumption stands at 48.2 kilograms, slightly below the UAE’s 48.3 kilograms per person.
Overall, the data underscores how population size heavily influences national consumption figures, while cultural food preferences continue to shape individual dietary habits across the Arab world.
