East Azarbaijan – Iran’s East Azarbaijan province, northwest of Iran, produces around 62 metric tons of camel meat annually from a herd of 2,020 camels, reflecting the growing role of camel farming in the country’s livestock sector.

 

Javad Gozali, acting head of the Livestock Affairs Department of the East Azarbaijan Agriculture Organization, said most camels raised in the province are dromedaries (one-humped camels), which are well adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions.

 

He said prolonged drought, declining rainfall, and changing rangelands have increased the importance of camel breeding, as camels require less water and feed than conventional livestock while remaining highly resilient to harsh climates and many diseases.

 

Gozali added that expanding the camel industry could create sustainable employment, attract private investment, and support economic development in dry regions.

 

He also noted that selective breeding and crossbreeding with Bactrian (two-humped) camels could improve meat production and livestock productivity.