Camel Meat Market Overview in Middle East

In 2019, the Middle Eastern camel meat market increased by % to $, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the market value increased by % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $ in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

In value terms, camel meat production expanded rapidly to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of % year-to-year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $ in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, production failed to regain the momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of camel meat production in 2019 were Saudi Arabia ( tonnes), the United Arab Emirates ( tonnes) and Oman ( tonnes), with a combined % share of total production. Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further %.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of camel meat production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Qatar, while camel meat production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average camel meat yield shrank to kg per head in 2019, leveling off at 2018. Over the period under review, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the yield increased by % y-o-y. Over the period under review, the camel meat yield attained the maximum level at kg per head in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2019, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global number of animals slaughtered for camel meat production expanded modestly to heads in 2019, growing by % against 2018. This number increased at an average annual rate of +% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 when the number of producing animals increased by % against the previous year. The level of producing animals peaked in 2019 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Camel meat consumption rose modestly to tonnes in 2019, with an increase of % on the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the consumption volume increased by % year-to-year. Over the period under review, consumption attained the maximum volume in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

The revenue of the camel meat market in the Middle East was estimated at $ in 2019, surging by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of % against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $ in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of camel meat consumption in 2019 were Saudi Arabia ( tonnes), the United Arab Emirates ( tonnes) and Oman ( tonnes), together comprising % of total consumption. Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Qatar lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further %.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of camel meat consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Qatar, while camel meat consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest camel meat markets in the Middle East were Saudi Arabia ($), the United Arab Emirates ($) and Oman ($), with a combined % share of the total market. These countries were followed by Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Qatar, which together accounted for a further %.

Qatar recorded the highest growth rate of market size, in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while camel meat market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of camel meat per capita consumption in 2019 were the United Arab Emirates ( kg per person), Oman ( kg per person) and Saudi Arabia ( kg per person).

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Yemen, while camel meat per capita consumption for the other leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Driven by increasing demand for camel meat in the Middle East, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to bring the market volume to tonnes by the end of .