Cattle Farming in Saudi Arabia

Cattle Farming in Saudi Arabia is one of the livestock breeding activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is considered an extension of traditional agricultural practices in Saudi Arabia, and later developed into an industrial activity with the expansion of the sector and the introduction of modern machinery, transportation, and retail outlets.

The cattle farming sector in Saudi Arabia witnessed growth in the number of cows and in the quantity of milk and dairy products produced since 1975. However, the number of projects did not increase until the early 1990s, which indicated an improvement in industrial production methods, as well as attention to the natural environment and the suitability of cattle farming locations, since high humidity affects the development of dairy farms and their production. As a result, the Eastern Province and Riyadh Province had the largest share of cattle distribution, as both regions were climatically suitable for the industry and had modern projects for cattle farming.

Cattle farming in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has paid special attention to cattle farming, and over the past decades, the dairy production sector has become increasingly specialized. Dairy manufacturing, production, and distribution companies have grown significantly, with local companies excelling in this field. The state has emphasized this sector through a package of supportive programs, such as the Agricultural Subsidy Program for Livestock Breeders, which provides monthly financial support of about SAR2.2 million to small-scale cattle breeders, according to 2020 statistics.

The Agricultural Development Fund supports breeders who own between fifty and no more than 250 heads of cattle, and provides financing in two installments to be repaid in monthly installments over a period not exceeding four years, with a one-year grace period. The financing is subject to a number of conditions.

In April 2024, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched an investment opportunity for cattle farming in Hali Center in Al-Qunfudhah Governorate, Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province, on a total area of 2.29 million m², with the aim of producing and manufacturing high-quality dairy products, contributing to achieving sustainable food security, and supporting agricultural and livestock activities in the region.

Sources and statistics of cattle farming in Saudi Arabia

Several surveys have been conducted to monitor the cattle farming sector. A field survey of specialized cattle farm projects, published in 2018, covered all administrative provinces in Saudi Arabia and collected data from cattle farms. The statistics for 2017 showed that specialized cattle farms in Saudi Arabia accommodated 364,389 heads of cattle, and the results of the survey revealed that the amount of cows’ milk produced in specialized cattle farms in the same year reached 2.074 billion L.

Projects and initiatives for developing the cattle farming sector in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture organized the “Improving and Developing the Livestock Sector” initiative in Buraydah, Qassim Province, in 2022, with the aim of supporting fodder production and improving herd management practices. The initiative was launched to develop the livestock sector as a whole, ensuring its transition from traditional breeding systems to modern methods that enhance production and maintain product quality. This initiative was launched in Qassim Province, which has three million livestock, including cattle.

Preceding the “Improving and Developing the Livestock Sector” initiative was the launch of a genetic improvement project in cattle in 2021, aimed at supporting the specialized dairy production sector in Saudi Arabia by crossbreeding with foreign breeds. This project sought to achieve food security and increase productivity through genetic enhancement. The genetic improvement system also includes modern methods such as cultivating green fodder and importing advanced equipment for feed mixing.

The Genetic Improvement Project for Animal Breeds was also launched in Saudi Arabia in 2018 to address production shortage issues in the livestock sector. The project attracted expertise from abroad, specializing in developing livestock wealth and correcting outdated practices that had led to low productivity while keeping financial costs high. Its purpose was to achieve sustainability by lowering costs and increasing efficiency. In addition, the ministry conducts annual vaccination campaigns for the cattle farming sector. In 2021, one such campaign targeted three hundred thousand heads of cattle across the regions of Saudi Arabia to boost their immunity and reduce disease among herds.

The Genetic Assets Bank and Artificial Insemination Project was launched in 2005 to preserve quality cattle breeds for the benefit of cattle farms in Saudi Arabia. The project focuses on improving genetic traits, increasing productivity, and enhancing disease resistance, in addition to its research contributions in the field of livestock.