RIYADH : In a statement this week, the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said the initiative aims to improve oversight of camel ownership while boosting “productivity and efficiency in the sector” through a centralised and reliable national database.
According to state-backed broadcaster Al Ekhbariya, the camel passport will be used to regulate the sale, transport and trade of camels, while also protecting owners’ rights and simplifying proof of ownership.
Government figures released in 2024 estimate that Saudi Arabia is home to around 2.2 million camels. Long valued as a primary means of transport in the past, camels today remain powerful symbols of heritage, prestige and wealth across the kingdom.
In recent years, the animals have also become central to a lucrative breeding and competition industry, particularly at major events such as the annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, where prize-winning camels can fetch hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The rising commercial value has prompted authorities to tighten oversight, especially after repeated scandals involving cosmetic manipulation of camels entered into beauty contests. Practices such as injections and fillers to enhance lips, noses and humps have been banned, with violators facing fines and disqualification.
Officials say the passport system forms part of a broader push to modernise agricultural governance, combining documentation, data and traceability to manage traditional industries that once relied largely on oral records and custom.
Saudi Arabia is introducing official passports for camels to enhance oversight and efficiency in the camel industry. This initiative aims to regulate camel trade, protect ownership rights, and modernize agricultural governance. With around 2.2 million camels in the country, the passports will also help curb unethical practices in camel beauty contests.