How Much Does a Camel Cost? | Are They Expensive?

Camels are one of the few animals that can survive in the desert. They were domesticated by incense traders in the Arabian deserts in the past.

These animals have a tourist role to play these days as they’re fascinating creatures. Hence, some people are interested in getting a camel.

How much does a camel cost? A regular camel can cost from $5,100 to $21,000. As you can notice, there’s a big price gap as the price differs from country to country. The breeds of the camel also affect the pricing. 

You’ll find camels that are sold at a low price in some countries while they’re expensive on the other side of the world. The information that you need to know about this matter is provided in this article.

How Much Is a Camel Worth in Pounds?

How Much Is a Camel Worth in Pounds

A camel can be worth 4037 to 16,626 pounds.

Camel Prices in Different Countries

Camel Prices in Different Countries

As mentioned, camel prices vary from country to country as it depends on the animal’s population and degree of rarity.

How Much is Camel in Dubai?

Everyone can own a camel in Dubai. A blood test can be conducted on a camel before you buy it. A camel is around $15,000 in Dubai. However, it becomes expensive in an auction.

The offer for a male camel starts at $5,500 and the female for $8,000. The auction will end up selling a camel for $55,000 to $68,000.

How Much Does a Camel Cost in Kuwait?

The cost of camels in Kuwait starts low with a calf that is sold at $990. A heavy camel is sold from $1,650 to $6,600. The price range of hybrids is from $10,000 to $13,000.

How Much Does a Camel Cost in India?

Due to the Camel Act, a restriction on slaughtering and exporting camels, the price of camels in India dramatically declines. The average price in the auction is $387 but it decreases by $25 to $45.

How Much Do Camels Cost in Saudi Arabia?

A camel in Saudi Arabia can cost $55,000. Since camel racing is popular in the country, the winning camel can have a price of up to $30 million.

The owner of this victorious camel usually spends $1,000 per month to take care of the camel though. So, you know where the high price is coming from. 

How Much Does a Camel Cost in America?

A camel costs $5,500 to $25,500 as the age and size are the basis of setting the price. Furthermore, a baby camel costs $5,500 to $10,000, while the bull is for $12,500.

What is the Price of Camel in Pakistan?

The price of a regular camel in Pakistan is relatively lower. The price ranges from $222 to $296. The camels for milking cost more, with a price tag of $5,925. Camels that are trained for racing have higher value, with the price from $7407 to $9,876.

How Much is a Camel in Morocco?

A camel in Morocco is sold for $1,000 to $50,000. The price depends on the animal’s quality. Moreover, the thoroughbreds have a starting price of $55,000. The price of the winning camels ranges from $5 million to $10 million. The highest price for them is $30 million.  

How Much is a Camel in Somalia?

Camels are a huge business in Somalia, and they can cost $820 per animal.

How Much Does a Camel Cost in Egypt?

With 120,000 camel populations in Egypt, the price of a camel can range from $315 for average size to $1,900 for mature ones.

How Much is a Camel Worth in Israel?

The regular camels in Israel are worth $1,950 to $5,200. Racing camels will be sold for $4,800 to $6,500.

Which Country Has the Largest Camel Population?

Australia has the largest camel population as the latest count in 2020 comes up to 3 million. These animals inhabit 37% of the country’s land. Therefore, camels have been declared a pest because they’re considered a threat and invasive species.

How Much Is the Most Expensive Camel?

How Much Is the Most Expensive Camel

Kuwait puts the highest price on their camels, and one of them is placed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most expensive animal. This camel comes by the name Bedour with a price of $6,542,760. This pricing was presented in an auction.

Cost of Camel by Species

Dromedary

Dromedary Camel

This is a camel breed with one hump at the back, and it’s extinct in the wild at the present. It survives the desert by using 40% of its body weight when the supply of food and water is not enough.

Furthermore, it can reduce sweating even when it’s hot. So, moisture remains in its body.

The diet of the dromedary camel consists of salty and prickly plants, shells, and dried bones. This species lives in a herd that has a single male and some females with their young.

The male is responsible for protecting the herd, so he would push, bite, or spit on the opponent. A dromedary camel can cost from $5,500 to $15,500.

Bactrian

Bactrian Camel

The camel that has two hands is the Bactrian species. It’s originally from the Gobi desert, a place with sparse vegetation. Its two humps shrink when all the fats are used up. It costs around $10,500.

This camel has an awesome ability in withstanding dehydration. It can ingest a lot of water in just a few minutes. When drinking salty water, it removes the salty content before sending the water to the bloodstream.

Buyers Guide to Buy a Camel

Buyers Guide to Buy a Camel

If you don’t know where to start when buying a camel, here’s your guide:

Finding Options

Ask for the prices from different markets. If you check the camels in person, you must be accompanied by a local who can help you to get a good, fair deal.

Things That You Have to Look For

When choosing a camel to cross the desert and carry heavy stuff, strength is the first that you have to consider. Have the camel sit and stand, so you can check the camel’s strengths. Both knees must not tremble, and you’ll know it by touching them.

No limping should be seen from the camel. An obedient one is an ideal candidate too, so you won’t have trouble with it later. Also, you have to check the underside of the feet, if there are any sores and wounds.

Because it’s a must, the camel should be able to accept a rope through its nose or just around its face. Make sure that you’ll choose the one that is not a biter. The ideal age of a camel that you have to get is four to eight years.

Note: It’s best not to buy a camel in a place where it’s common to eat camel’s meat as the value of this animal is high.

Thus, it’s going to be expensive. You have to remember that there’s no fixed price, so you have to try your best to make a bargain.

Factors Affecting the Camel Cost

Here are the factors that affect the camel cost:

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Availability in the geographical area
  • With training or already used
  • Season or time of the year

Feeding Cost of Camels

Camels are deemed herbivores, but there is a chance for them to eat shells and bones. They can ingest thorny plants, but you have to feed them with grass and alfalfa. Thus, you have to spend $125 for a ton of grass and $170 for a ton of alfalfa

These animals can get through harsh conditions for a long time. It’s the reason that it can drink around 180 liters of water in no time. So, be generous in giving them water.

Raising Cost of a Camel

Here’s the breakdown of the raising cost of a camel:

  • Food – $300
  • Housing – $2,300 to $10,500 ($5,000 for the median)
  • Vet check-up – $300 (median)

In a year, the average cost of raising a camel is $5,600. You’ll have to add $500 if you put your camel under training.

How Much Does Camel Milk Cost?

A liter of camel milk costs $30.

How Much Milk Does a Camel Produce Daily?

The daily milk production of camels varies as it depends on the breed. The highest is around 4 to 7 liters, and the average is 3 to 5 liters.

Moreover, the lowest daily milk production is 1 to 1.25 liters. The yield of milking camels in the wet season is twice as much as when it’s the dry season.

Summary

Since camels are interesting animals with a lot of uses, it’s just reasonable that it has a high price on the market. They can accompany you in the desert and carry the heavy load for you.

Many countries have them as a food source as their milk and meat are good. If you can afford it, follow all the regulations, and you can get a camel for a pet.

List of Sources

United Arab Emirates: The Nascar of the Desert

Camels, Camel Milk, and Camel Milk Product Situation in Kenya in Relation to the World

FAO Helps Somalis to Cash In on Livestock Waste

Gateway to Dairy Production and Products

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