Saudi Arabia plans passports for 2.2 million camels

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has announced plans to issue official passports for camels as part of efforts to better regulate and manage one of the kingdom’s most culturally and economically important assets.
According to the ministry, the initiative is designed to strengthen oversight of camel ownership, improve productivity and efficiency within the sector, and establish a centralised, reliable database for tracking the animals.

Government figures released in 2024 estimate that Saudi Arabia is home to about 2.2 million camels, underscoring the scale of the project.
Camels have played a central role in Saudi society for centuries, historically serving as a primary means of transportation and remaining a powerful symbol of heritage, prestige and wealth.
In recent years, camel breeding and competitions have expanded significantly, with prize-winning animals selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars at major events such as the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival.
The rising commercial value of camels has led authorities to strengthen regulatory oversight, particularly following repeated scandals involving cosmetic enhancements to animals entered in beauty contests. Practices such as the use of injections and fillers to alter lips, noses and humps have been banned, with violators facing fines and disqualification.
The planned passport system forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to modernise agricultural governance by relying on documentation, data collection and traceability, replacing systems that were previously based largely on oral records and traditional practices.
Officials say the initiative will support efforts to preserve traditional industries while also promoting economic growth and sustainable development across the sector.