Research Article

The Economic Dimension of Camel Contribution to Meeting Consumer Needs and Food Security for Red Meat

Adel Ghanem M¹, Khalid Alrwis N¹, Yosef AA², Mohamad A², Othman SA², Fuad Mohammed A², Abdul Aziz AM², Sulaiman Abdul AA² and Sharafeldin Alaagib B¹

¹Office of Food Security Studies and Research, Vice Rectorate for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Saud University

²Agricultural economics department, College of food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University

Submission: October 13, 2024; Published: October 22, 2024

*Corresponding author: Adel Ghanem M, Office of Food Security Studies and Research, Vice Rectorate for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, King Saud University, Email: aghanem@ksu.edu.sa

How to cite this article: Adel Ghanem M, Khalid Alrwis N, Yosef AA, Mohamad A, Othman SA, et al. The Economic Dimension of Camel Contribution to Meeting Consumer Needs and Food Security for Red Meat. Ann Soc Sci Manage Stud. 2024; 11(1): 555803. DOI: 10.19080/ASM.2024.11.555803

Abstract

Given the country’s interest in naming 2024 as the year of the camel, this study aimed to estimate the economic importance and water used for the contribution of camels to meeting consumer needs and food security for red meat, using economic equations and statistical analysis during the period 1995-2022. This study showed that the strategic stock of red meat is estimated at approximately 186.94 thousand tons. In light of domestic consumption of 398.15 thousand tons in 2022, the food security coefficient for red meat reached 0.47 at the end of the period 1995-2022. The contribution of camels to red meat production ranged between a minimum of 9.01% and a maximum of 41.11% at a confidence level of 95%. The contribution of camels to meeting consumer needs ranged between a minimum of 0.14% and a maximum of 24.48% at a confidence level of 95%. The contribution of camels to achieving the current level of food security for red meat (0.47) ranged between a minimum of 1.79% and a maximum of 8.19. % at 95% confidence. The total water used in camel meat production to contribute to both meeting consumer needs and food security for red meat amounted to 12.51 billion m3, representing 2.72% of the total water used for agricultural purposes during the period 1995-2022. The percentage of the amount of water used in camels’ contribution to meeting consumer needs decreased.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; Self-Sufficiency; Strategic Stock; Production Adequacy Period; Import Coverage Period

Introduction

Camels occupy an important position in arid, semi-arid, and even pastoral areas, where they are used for carrying, pulling, and agricultural work, in addition to benefiting from their meat, milk, skin, and fur. The number of camels in the Arab countries is about 18.62 million heads, representing 44% of the total number of camels in the world, which amounts to 42.31 million heads in 2022. The distribution of camels in the Arab countries is irregular, as the state of Somalia contains 40.3% of the total number of camels in the Arab world. , followed by the State of Sudan with a rate of 26.6%, then the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a rate of 10.7%, then Mauritania with a rate of 8.2% (Figure 1). Camel breeding is characterized by the fact that it does not require any type of equipment in barns compared to equipment for cows and sheep. The rate of feed consumption for camels is low, as the camels (young camels) are fed an amount of concentrated feed amounting to 1.5% of their live weight. As well as the possibility of benefiting from desert plants spread in various regions that are accepted only by camels and no other animals.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia possesses an animal wealth amounting to 36.83 million heads in 2022, of which 21.8 million heads of sheep, at a rate of 59.21%, followed by goats at a rate of 18.41%, then traditional birds and poultry at a rate of 16.02%, then camels and cows at a rate of 5.43%, 0.85% for each, respectively (Figure 2). Livestock is concentrated in the Riyadh region, which possesses the equivalent of 18.08% of the total livestock, followed by Makkah Al-Mukarramah with 11.19%. Then the Asir, Jazan, Najran, Qassim, Eastern, and Al-Jawf regions, with rates reaching 9.75%, 9.69%, 9.23%, 9.15.15%, 7.49%, and 5.95% for each of them, respectively. From the above, it is clear that the eight aforementioned regions own livestock wealth amounting to 80.53%, while the percentage of possession of the rest of the regions does not exceed 19.47% in 2022 (Figure 3).

The state provided direct and indirect support to the animal production sector, as it was shown from a study [1] that the total value of support for red meat production amounted to 724.5 million riyals, with an average of 200.4 riyals/ton during the period 1990-2012. The value of the virtual support for red meat exports amounted to 45.87 million riyals, representing 6.33% of the total value of direct and indirect support for red meat during the study period. Due to the insufficient local production to meet consumer needs, the state was forced to expand the import of red meat from abroad, as a study [2] showed an increase in the amount of Saudi imports of red meat from 105.12 thousand tons, with a value amounting to 202.49 million dollars in 2000, to 152.61 thousand tons, with a value of $789.56 million in 2021. The quantity of Saudi red meat exports also increased from 0.68 thousand tons, with a value of $1.17 million in 2000, to 23.7 thousand tons, with a value of $57.45 million in 2012, then decreased until it reached 1.88 thousand tons, with a value of $7.55 million in 2021. Given the superiority of the value of imports over exports. The value of the deficit in the trade balance of red meat increased from $201.32 million in 2000 to $782.01 million in 2021. That is, the value of the deficit in the trade balance of red meat increased at an annual growth rate of 7.4% during the period 2000-2021.

Many studies have addressed the current and hoped status of food security for red meat, as the study [3] showed that the strategic stock of red meat amounted to 189.34 thousand tons at the end of the period 2018-2030, and in light of the expected domestic consumption of red meat amounting to 510.3 thousand tons in 2030. The food security coefficient for red meat is estimated at about 0.37 during the period 2018-2030. The study recommended the need to increase the strategic stock of red meat to sufficient for local consumption for a period of no less than 6 months in accordance with food security considerations.

The study [4] showed that the contribution of local production to meeting local consumption needs for red meat ranged between a minimum of 27.54% and a maximum of 64.46% at a confidence level of 95%. The total amount of water used in the production of red meat amounted to 46.68 billion m3, representing 10.14% of the total amount of water used in the agricultural sector during the period 1995-2022. Given the dependence of red meat production on water-depleting fodder crops, the area of green fodder increased from 305.3 thousand hectares. In 1995, to 502.2 thousand hectares in 2016, then it decreased continuously until it disappeared from the crop structure beginning in 2022, with the aim of rationalizing water consumption in the agricultural sector [5].

In light of the Saudi National Agriculture Strategy for 2030, the Kingdom’s directions lie in maintaining the current selfsufficiency rate for red meat (25%-30%) and reducing the number of livestock heads by 40%, with a focus on organizing the livestock sector, doubling its productivity, and reducing losses. Despite the directions of the Saudi National Agriculture Strategy, the livestock production index (2004-2006=100) increased from 44.02 in 1995, to 144.3 in 2021 [6]. The self-sufficiency rate for red meat also increased from 39.8% in 2015, to 60% in 2022, which means an increase in the amount of water used in the production of red meat [5].

Research Objectives

This research aimed to estimate the economic importance and the water used for the contribution of camels to meeting consumer needs and food security for red meat during the period 1995-2022, by studying the following objectives:

i. The current status of production, consumption, selfsufficiency and food security of red meat.

ii. Estimating the percentage of camels’ contribution to production, meeting consumer needs and food security for red meat.

iii. Estimating the quantity and value of water used for the contribution of camels to meeting consumer needs and food security for red meat.

Materials and Methods

To achieve its objectives, this study relied on secondary data published in: (1) the website of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [7], and (2) the statistical book issued by the Ministry of Environment [5], Water and Agriculture. In estimating the annual growth rates for Saudi production, consumption, exports and imports of red meat during the period 2005-2022, this study relied on the exponential model and can be expressed in the following equation:

The previous equation can be written as follows:

Where: e represents the base of the natural logarithm and equals 2.71828, B_1represents the annual growth rate, and is obtained through the first differentiation of the model, then dividing by Y as follows [8]:

In estimating the strategic stock and the food security factor for red meat, this study relied on the following economic equations:

PSP_lc : represents the period of sufficient production for domestic consumption of red meat.

LPRO_m : Represents the total domestic production of red meat.

LCONS_d : Represents the daily domestic consumption of red meat.

PCI_lc : represents the import coverage period for domestic consumption of red meat.

QIMPO_m : Represents the amount of imports of red meat.

ASD_m : Represents the amount of surplus and deficit in local consumption of red meat.

SLSPCI_lc : Represents the sum of the periods of production adequacy and import coverage for domestic consumption of red meat.

QSPO_m : Represents the export quantity of red meat.

FSF_m : represents the food security coefficient for red meat.

QSS_lm : Represents the amount of the strategic stock of red meat.

LCONS_y : Annual domestic consumption of red meat.

The value of the food security coefficient ranges between zero and the correct one. The closer the value of the food security coefficient is to zero, the more food security there is, and vice versa. The closer the value of the food security factor is to one, the greater the level of food security for red meat [10].

The Bernoulli distribution, which is sometimes known as the binomial distribution, and standard errors at 95% confidence were used to estimate the percentage or probability that camels will contribute to both local production, meeting consumer needs, and food security for red meat during the period 1995-2022. When estimating the percentage or probability of contribution, the estimation is accompanied by standard errors that are considered when estimating confidence intervals as follows:

Where: P represents the probability of contributing to production, meeting consumer needs and food security, (1− P) represents the probability of not contributing, represents the length of the time series 1995-2022 [11].

Finally, this study relied on the following economic equations to estimate the quantity and value of water used in contribution of camels to meet consumption needs and food security for red meat:

Results and Discussion

Production, Consumption, and Nutritional Gap of red meat during the period 1995-2022

By studying the current situation of red meat production during the period 1995-2022, it is clear from the data presented in the (Figures 4, 5) and (Tables 1,2) that the local production of red meat increased from 155.14 thousand tons in 1995, to 265.0 thousand tons in 2022. The growth rates ranged for red meat production between a minimum of 0.47% for sheep meat and a maximum of 2.9% for beef meat. In general, local production of red meat increased at an annual growth rate of 1.4%. Sheep ranked first in red meat production with a rate of 42.45%, followed by camels with a rate of 26.33%, then cows and goats with a rate of 17.17% and 14.05% for each of them, respectively, during the period 1995-2022.

Domestic consumption of red meat increased from 370.65 thousand tons, at a rate of 1.02 thousand tons/day in 1995, to 533.29 thousand tons, at a rate of 1.46 thousand tons/day in 2019, then decreased to 441.7 thousand tons, at a rate of 1.21 thousand tons/day in 2022. In general, domestic consumption of red meat increased at an annual growth rate of 1.7% during the study period. In light of the local production and consumption of red meat, the food gap increased from 215.51 thousand tons in 1995, to 306.13 thousand tons in 2015, then decreased to 176.67 thousand tons in 2022. In general, the nutritional gap for red meat increased at an annual growth rate of 1.6%. The self-sufficiency rate also ranged between a minimum of 38.6% in 2002 and a maximum of 66.7% in 2001, with an annual average estimated at about 46.02% during the period 1995-2022 (Figure 6).

Estimating the strategic stock and the food security coefficient for red meat

Given the dependence of food security for red meat on both local production and imports from abroad, the strategic stock and the food security coefficient for red meat were estimated by estimating the periods of production adequacy and import coverage and the amount of surplus and deficit in local consumption of red meat during the period 1995-2022. It is clear from the data in (Tables 3-5) that:

i. The amount of Saudi red meat imports ranged between a minimum of 124.66 thousand tons in 2001 and a maximum of 338.82 thousand tons in 2015, with an annual average estimated at about 248.55 thousand tons. The amount of Saudi red meat imports increased at a small annual growth rate of 0.8%. The amount of red meat exports ranged between a minimum of 3.84 thousand tons in 2000 and a maximum of 91.0 thousand tons in 2021, with an annual average estimated at about 28.31 thousand tons. The amount of red meat exports increased at an annual growth rate of 6.7% during the period 1995-2022.

ii. The period of adequacy of production for domestic consumption ranged between a minimum of 109.5 days in 2020 and a maximum of 243.3 days in 2001, with an annual average estimated at about 167.94 days during the study period. The coverage period for imports for domestic consumption ranged between a minimum of 162.6 days in 2019 and a maximum of 263.3 days in 2005, with an annual average estimated at about 228.54 days during the study period. The period of coverage of imports for domestic consumption decreased at a small rate of 0.7% annually during the period 1995-2022.

iii. A surplus of red meat amounted to 573.78 thousand tons during the years 1995-2007, 2010, 2013-2015, 2017, and 2022, sufficient for local consumption for a period of 584.1 days, or 19.47 months. There was also a deficit in local consumption of red meat during the years 2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2016, 2018-2021, where the amount of the deficit amounted to 386.84 thousand tons by 327.2 days, or about 10.9 months. The ratio of the surplus to the deficit in red meat reached 148.3% at the end of the period 1995-2022.

iv. According to the concept of the strategic stock, as the sum of the difference between the total surplus and deficit, the strategic stock is estimated at approximately 186.94 thousand tons. In light of the domestic consumption of red meat amounting to 398.15 thousand tons in 2022, the food security coefficient for red meat is estimated at about 0.47 at the end of the period 1995- 2022.

The Relative importance of Camels’ Contribution to Production and meeting Consumer needs and Food Security of Red Meat

The Relative importance of Camels’ Contribution to Red Meat Production:

By studying the contribution of camels to red meat production, it is clear from the data in (Tables 6,7) that the contribution of camels to red meat production ranged between a minimum of 18.62% in 2020 and a maximum of 34.26% in 1996, with an annual average of 25.06% during the study period. Estimating the contribution of camels to red meat production at a confidence level of 95%, it is clear that it ranged between a minimum of 9.01% and a maximum of 41.11% (Table 8).

The Relative importance of Camels’ Contribution to Achieving the Current level of Food Security for Red Meat:

By examining the contribution of camels to achieving the current level of food security for red meat, it is clear from the data in (Table 9) that the contribution of camels to achieving the current level of food security for red meat ranged between a minimum of 1.79% and a maximum of 8.19% at a confidence level of 95%. In general, the total production of red meat contributed to achieving the current level of food security at a rate that ranged between a minimum of 11.31% and a maximum of 28.51% at a confidence level of 95%. The relative importance of the contribution of red meat imports to achieving the current level of food security ranged between a minimum of 18.49% and a maximum of 35.69% at a confidence level of 95%.

The quantity and value of water used by camels to meet consumer needs for food security of red meat

Quantity and value of water used to by camels to meet consumption needs for red meat:

The amount of water used was estimated for camels’ contribution to meeting consumption needs for red meat, using an average water requirement per ton of 9.13 thousand m3/ton [4]. It is clear from the data in (Table 10) that the amount of water used in the production of camel meat to meet consumer needs increased from 379.81 million m3, representing 2.6% of the total amount of water used for agricultural purposes, which amounted to 14.82 billion m3 in 1995, to 673.34 million m3, representing 8.9%. Of the total amount of water used for agricultural purposes amounting to 7.58 billion cubic meters in 2022. The total amount of water used in the production of camel meat to meet consumer needs amounted to about 12.33 billion m3, representing 2.68% of the total amount of water used for agricultural purposes, amounting to 460.41 billion m3 during the period 1995-2022. In light of the average cost of groundwater extraction of 0.482 riyals/ m3. At a discount price of 10% [12], the value of water used in producing camel meat to meet consumer needs increased from 183.07 million riyals in 1995, to 324.55 million riyals in 2022.

Quantity and value of Water used for Camels’ Contribution to Food security for red meat:

The amount of water used in camel meat production was estimated to contribute to achieving the current level of food security of (0.47), through the strategic stock of red meat amounting to 186.94 thousand tons at the end of the period 1995- 2022. In light of the ratio of the two periods of production adequacy and import coverage for local consumption, it was determining the contribution of both local production and imports to the formation of the strategic stock of red meat, which amounted to 79.19 and 107.75 thousand tons for each, respectively. In light of the average relative importance of the contribution of camels to red meat production, the share of camels in the composition of the strategic stock of red meat was determined to be 19.85 thousand tons, representing 10.62% of the strategic stock of red meat amounting to 186.94 thousand tons at the end of the study period. In light of the average water requirement per ton of 9.13 thousand m3/ton [13], the amount of water used in camel meat production to contribute to achieving the current level of food security amounted to 181.23 million m3, with a value of 87.35 million riyals at the end of the period 1995-2022.

Conclusion

Given the importance of camels in meeting consumer needs and food security for red meat, in addition to their cultural value, and their spread in arid and semi-arid regions, the Council of Ministers approved, on 12/19/2023, to designate 2024 as the Year of the Camel. This study showed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia possesses an animal wealth amounting to 36.83 million heads in 2022, including 21.8 million heads of sheep, at a rate of 59.21%, followed by goats at a rate of 18.41%, then traditional birds and poultry at a rate of 16.02%, then camels and cows at a rate of 5.43%. 0.85% for each, respectively.

Due to water scarcity and the reduction in the amount of water available to the agricultural sector, the cropped area decreased from 1.34 million hectares in 1995, to 534.5 thousand hectares in 2022. Despite the continuing decrease in the cropped area, the value of agricultural output increased from 31.4 billion riyals, representing 5.85% of the total the gross domestic product in 1995, to 99.98 billion riyals, representing 2.41% of the gross domestic product in 2022. This is due to organizing the livestock sector, doubling its productivity and reducing losses, as evidenced by the increase in the livestock production index (2004-2006=100), from 44.02. in 1995, to 144.3 in 2021 [6]. The self-sufficiency rate for red meat also increased from 39.8% in 2015 to 60% in 2022.

Despite the small relative importance of the number of camels in the Kingdom, they contributed to the local production of red meat at a rate that ranged between a minimum of 9.01% and a maximum of 41.11% at a confidence level of 95%. The contribution of camels to red meat production declined at a slight rate of 0.8% during the period 1995-2022. This is due to changes in consumption patterns and their bias toward other types of meat, especially lamb, goat, and poultry meat, as well as the relationship between the increase in per capita income and the demand for camel meat. Camels contributed to meeting consumption needs for red meat at a rate ranging between a minimum of 0.14% and a maximum of 24.48% at a confidence level of 95%. The contribution of camels to achieving the current level of food security for red meat (0.47) ranged between a minimum of 1.79% and a maximum of 8.19% at a confidence level of 95%.

The study also showed that the contribution of camels to meeting the consumption needs for red meat resulted in the consumption of an amount of water amounting to 12.33 billion m3, representing 2.68% of the total amount of water used for agricultural purposes, which amounted to 460.41 billion m3 during the period 1995-2022. The amount of water used in the production of camel meat to contribute to achieving the current level of food security, reached181.23 million m3, with a value amounting to 87.35 million riyals at the end of the period 1995- 2022. From the above, it is clear that the percentage of water used for camels’ contribution to both meeting consumer needs and food security amounted to 2.72% of the total water used for agricultural purposes during the period 1995-2022. The percentage of the amount of water used in camel meat production to contribute to meeting consumer needs and food security decreased. It justifies moving forward in increasing camel meat production with the aim of reducing the food gap and trade deficit on the one hand and increasing the self-sufficiency rate and food security factor for red meat on the other hand.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support this study are available in the article and accompanying online supplementary material.

Acknowledgement

The authors extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for supporting the work.

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