Saudi Arabia launched a digital camel passport system to document ownership, health records and trade/Representative Image
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new digital and regulatory system designed to bring order, traceability and credibility to the camel sector, marking a significant step in how the animals are identified, traded and managed across the Kingdom.The Camel Passport initiative, launched on Tuesday, creates an official identity for every registered camel, linking ownership, health records and breed information into a single, recognised framework that supports regulation, veterinary services and market credibility.
Initiative launched under national livestock development programme
The project was inaugurated by Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti and is part of the ministry’s work under the National Program for the Development of the Livestock and Fisheries Sector.According to the ministry, the initiative aims to unify regulatory and digital systems across the camel sector. By formally documenting camel data, ownership details, breeds and health records, it establishes an authorised reference that can be used for veterinary response, regulatory oversight and transparent market operations.
What the Camel passport includes
The camel passport functions as a comprehensive identification document, ensuring that each animal can be accurately verified and tracked. It includes the following details:
- Microchip number
- Passport number
- Camel name
- Date of birth
- Breed
- Gender
- Colour
- Place of birth
- Date and place of passport issuance
- Photographs of the camel from both sides to ensure precise identity verification
Additionally, the passport includes a dedicated vaccination record. This section documents veterinary immunisations and is officially certified with the name, signature and stamp of the attending veterinarian.
Regulating sales and ownership
The ministry said the initiative will play a central role in regulating sales and trading activities within the camel market. It will organise transport procedures, ownership transfers and official documentation, helping protect owners’ rights while increasing trust among buyers, sellers and other market participants.By creating a verified record for each camel, the system is expected to reduce disputes, improve traceability and bring greater clarity to commercial transactions.
Boosting market value and supporting long-term planning
The camel passport is also expected to enhance the market value of camels by allowing pricing to be based on accurate and verifiable data, including health status, breed and lineage. This is expected to increase transparency in both local and international auctions.Beyond trade, the project will support strategic planning by generating reliable data on camel populations, broken down by age, gender, breed and colour. The ministry said this information will help guide national livestock distribution, improve breeding efficiency through genetic performance analysis and support programmes aimed at improving local camel breeds.Together, these measures position the camel passport as a foundational tool for modernising the sector while preserving its economic and cultural importance in Saudi Arabia. Go to Source
