Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has launched a project to issue passports for camels, in a move seen as a 'qualitative step' to regulate the sector and strengthen the kingdom's credibility in local and international markets, the government said on Wednesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, a statement by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture confirmed that Deputy Minister Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti inaugurated the camel passport project Tuesday evening. The initiative is designed to organize the camel sector, document identity, and improve service efficiency while enhancing market trust domestically and internationally.

The project seeks to record camels' data, ownership, and breeds, linking them to verified health and regulatory information. This makes the passport an officially recognized reference that supports more efficient services. The camel passport serves as a comprehensive identification document, containing a microchip number, passport number, the camel's name, date of birth, breed, sex, color, place of birth, and date and place of issuance. It also includes photographs of the animal from both sides to ensure accurate identification.

Additionally, the passport includes a dedicated vaccination table that documents veterinary immunization records, certified by the name, signature, and stamp of the veterinarian. The ministry stated that the passport will help regulate sales and trading by tightening controls over camel sales, transport, and official documentation.

In a census released in June 2025, the ministry reported that the total number of camels in the kingdom reached 2,235,297 heads. Saudi Arabia ranks among the world's top camel-owning countries, with an estimated 80,000 owners, according to unofficial figures.