Saudi Arabia has announced plans to issue passports for millions of camels in an effort to document ownership and bring transparency to a market valued at around SR50bn ($13bn) annually, Bawabat al-Wasat reported on February 4.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture said the initiative aims to "raise productivity efficiency in the sector and build a reference database for camels" in a post on X.

The ministry shared an image of the green document bearing the state emblem and a camel stamp, though did not specify when the first passports would be issued.

State broadcaster Al Ekhbariya said the system would help "organise trading operations by controlling sales, transport and official documentation, protecting owners' rights and facilitating proof of ownership." The channel added the move would "boost confidence in the market."

Saudi Arabia is home to around 2.2mn camels, according to government data published in 2024. Known as "ships of the desert," the animals were historically used for transport across the Arabian Peninsula and have become a heritage symbol in the Gulf region, conferring social status on their owners whilst supporting a profitable breeding and trading industry.

The kingdom hosts annual camel races sponsored by the King and Crown Prince, along with beauty competitions where enthusiasts spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on competing animals.

Organisers have cracked down on cosmetic procedures in recent years, a practice that has grown despite harsh penalties and intense competition.

Authorities discourage treatments designed to make camels' lips droop more or create symmetrical humps, seeking to preserve natural appearance and authenticity standards. Research published in 2021 suggested life-sized camel and horse engravings carved into Saudi rock faces may date back around 7,000 years.

The "Haddaa," a folk tradition used for communication between camels and their owners in the desert, was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage in December 2022.