Pet stores across the country are increasingly sourcing Saudi-made products and bringing in alternative brands via the King Fahad Causeway as stock shortages continue following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Retailers say the disruption has had a wider ripple effect, driving demand for Gulf-based suppliers and sparking discussions about developing locally produced Bahraini pet food and supplies to reduce reliance on imports.
California Pets Bahrain Business Development Manager Sayed Ahmed told the GDN that while the situation has presented significant challenges, it has also encouraged businesses to adapt by diversifying their supply chains and exploring new opportunities.
“We have received many complaints from customers who have not been able to purchase their pets’ favourite brands of food treats, or litter, which has been unfortunate for them and has also meant we have lost some customers,” he said. “However, we have taken responsibility to find alternative supply routes and, importantly, to educate customers on how to safely switch their pets to different food, as many have been anxious and unsure what to do.”
Mr Ahmed said the biggest shortages have been in dry and wet food, as well as cat litter.
“We would usually import from Türkiye, Holland, Germany, Poland and China, but we had to source new brands and alternatives,” he said, adding that the company has since secured deals with suppliers in Saudi Arabia offering high-quality Saudi-made products, which has been a positive development.
“This has created opportunities to work more closely with our neighbours and has also encouraged longer-term thinking, including the possibility of developing our own pet food brand to help safeguard against similar disruptions in the future.
“Although it has been a stressful period, especially as many of us have never experienced anything like this before, it has also pushed businesses to innovate in ways that could benefit Bahrain, the Gulf and our customers.”
For Bahrain World for Animals owner and Horizons shelter supervisor Yusuf Ahmed, importing challenges have also been significant, particularly during the height of the disruption when cargo shipments were halted through airlines and sea routes.
“It was also stopped through sea, which we normally rely on, so there were certain types of dry food we were unable to provide for animals and customers,” he said, adding that the continued opening of the King Fahad Causeway helped ease pressure by enabling land imports.
“However, it did come at a cost, with prices increasing by around 20 to 15 per cent through routes via Jeddah and Riyadh.”
However, not all retailers were affected in the same way. Petzone Bahrain store supervisor Dr Hichem Hocine said the company avoided shortages thanks to proactive planning and strong supplier relationships.
“In situations where supply challenges arise, we act quickly to secure additional stock through these partnerships,” he said. “This approach has ensured continuous availability and market stability, even during potential shortages.”
Dr Hocine added that Petzone has already developed its own brand of cat and dog food, currently available in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and sees potential for introducing it to the Bahraini market.
Among consumers, cat owner Hilary Fernandes, who cares for 15 cats and feeds around 10 strays near her Manama office, said she began stocking up in advance through delivery apps and hypermarkets, even when she could not access her preferred brands.
“My cats were used to a specific brand of food, so it was difficult to transition them, and some experienced upset stomachs,” she said.
“Even the strays could notice the difference, but it was more important to ensure they were fed and did not go hungry.”
The UN trade and development agency warned last week that while the eventual full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would bring immediate relief to energy markets, vulnerable economies remain at risk from prolonged increases in food and fuel costs.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
Mr Ahmed
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