GCC: Camel Meat Market 2025

Camel Meat Market Size in GCC

The GCC camel meat market contracted modestly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -3.4% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +3.6% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Camel Meat Production in GCC

In value terms, camel meat production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Saudi Arabia (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of camel meat production, comprising approx. 64% of total volume. Moreover, camel meat production in Saudi Arabia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Saudi Arabia amounted to +9.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United Arab Emirates (+3.6% per year) and Oman (+7.9% per year).

In 2022, the average yield of camel meat in GCC dropped slightly to X kg per head, with a decrease of -1.5% on 2021 figures. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 3.2%. Over the period under review, the camel meat yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, number of animals slaughtered for camel meat production in GCC dropped to X heads, with a decrease of -1.7% compared with the previous year. The total number of producing animals indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, number of animals slaughtered for camel meat production increased by +100.1% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the number of producing animals increased by 55% against the previous year. Over the period under review, this number reached the peak level at X heads in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Camel Meat Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, after seven years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of camel meat, when their volume decreased by -10.9% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 341% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, camel meat exports declined sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 290% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2021, and then fell notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented the largest exporter of camel meat in GCC, comprising 100% of total export.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the camel meat exports, with a CAGR of +51.2% from 2012 to 2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X) also remains the largest camel meat supplier in GCC.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the United Arab Emirates stood at +48.8%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -11.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 43%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

As there is only one major export destination, the average price level is determined by prices for the United Arab Emirates.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the United Arab Emirates amounted to -1.6% per year.

Camel Meat Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, imports of camel meat in GCC contracted to X tons, dropping by -9.2% on the previous year. In general, imports, however, saw a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 152%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, camel meat imports plummeted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 198%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Oman prevails in imports structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 96% of total imports in 2022. Kuwait (X tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Oman was also the fastest-growing in terms of the camel meat imports, with a CAGR of +52.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Kuwait (+42.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Oman (+19 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Oman ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported camel meat in GCC, comprising 96% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Kuwait ($X), with a 3.5% share of total imports.

In Oman, camel meat imports expanded at an average annual rate of +51.4% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in GCC amounted to $X per ton, declining by -8.1% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 31%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Kuwait ($X per ton), while Oman totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (-0.6%).

Source: IndexBox Platform