RIYADH: The 10th annual King Abdulaziz Camel Festival held in Al-Sayahid, north of Riyadh, has seen unprecedented demand this year, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
It has become a major economic engine for the camel breeding industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, with prices reaching over SR100,000 ($27,000) at auction for the best specimens.
Auctioneer Mubarak Al-Ghannami told the SPA that around 200 camels are entered into the daily auction, with prices starting at around SR4,000.
The festival supports economic activity beyond just the auctions, however, with job opportunities in camel transportation and related auxiliary sectors.
Veteran transporter Abu Naif Al-Mutairi highlighted the potential for seasonal profit and encouraged young Saudis to engage in the industry.
