Bahrain’s air conditioner imports surge 50% amid rising demand

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain imported 10,000 air conditioners in January, spending BD2 million — a sharp rise from the 4,000 units brought in last year for BD1.4 million.

The jump of more than 50 per cent comes as demand grows, driven by an expanding construction sector, government-backed projects, and a shift towards energy-saving models.

Market research firm Mercantile expects this trend to continue, forecasting steady growth of around 3 per cent a year until 2028.

Factor

The push for bigger infrastructure and tourism-related developments is seen as a key factor.

As more buildings go up, demand for cooling follows.

The report notes that ongoing work to develop smart cities, tied to long-term economic plans, is also adding pressure to the market.

Hotels, shopping centres, airports, and sports venues are expanding, encouraged by government spending.

Effect

With more tourists arriving, there is also a knock-on effect, as builders respond to calls for extra capacity.

Technology is playing a part, with internet-linked air conditioners becoming more common.

Manufacturers are adding automation, making systems easier to control and adjust remotely.

Features such as real-time tracking, air filtering, and energy-saving settings are now standard in many models.

Concerns

Concerns over carbon emissions are also shifting buyers towards more efficient cooling systems.

The report points to a growing awareness of air quality, with both households and businesses looking for ways to cut power use without giving up comfort.

This is pushing manufacturers to increase production of systems that meet stricter environmental standards.

Popular

Split-unit air conditioners, in particular, are becoming more popular, partly due to their ease of installation and maintenance.

Their ability to cool spaces efficiently while using less power makes them an attractive choice for many buyers.

This shift in preferences is shaping the market, with suppliers adapting to meet demand.