RIYADH: Sales at an auction in Hail for rare and distinctive camel breeds topped SR5.7 million ($1.5 million) in its opening week, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event, in Al-Qaid, on the outskirts of the northern city, is one of the largest of its kind in the region and provides an important boost to the local economy.
The 10-day event also gives visitors the chance to enjoy a range of cultural and social activities.
Camel breeding is a revered tradition in the Kingdom and while the animals were once vital for people’s survival, today they are more valued for their sporting prowess.
The finest racing camels can fetch huge sums at auction. The value of sales in the preliminary round of the 2023 Crown Prince Camel Festival topped SR3 billion.
One of the most expensive camels ever sold was bought by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum in 2008 for more than $2.7 million, the WAM news agency reported.
