Camels

Camel production is most developed in arid and semi-arid parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where the species supports pastoral livelihoods through milk, meat, and transport. Dromedaries dominate hot desert regions, while Bactrian camels and dromedary–Bactrian hybrids are kept in colder Central Asian environments.

Dairy-type dromedaries

Regional breeds selected or managed for higher milk yield, increasingly supplying peri-urban dairies.

Riding and pack dromedaries

Types bred and trained for transport, racing, or pack work.

Bactrian camel

Two-humped species adapted to cold, dry Central Asian rangelands, used for milk, fibre, and transport.

Regional breed and genetic diversity is documented internationally, including through FAO’s Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS).

Camels are adapted to browse a wide range of shrubs, trees, and grasses, including thorny and salt-tolerant plants that many other livestock avoid, and can travel long distances between forage and water sources. In pastoral systems, feeding relies almost entirely on natural rangeland vegetation, while peri-urban and more intensive dairy operations increasingly supplement forage with concentrate feeds to support higher milk yields.

Camel health and welfare depend on adequate access to forage and water even in arid environments, appropriate handling given the animal’s size and temperament, and management of diseases and parasites relevant to the species and region.

Camels allow productive use of arid and semi-arid land unsuitable for most other livestock or crops, underpinning pastoral livelihoods across large parts of Africa and Asia. Growing interest in camel milk for urban and export markets is expanding more intensive dairy operations alongside traditional pastoral herding.