AI Summary
Saudi Arabia’s 2024 livestock statistics, released by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), showed continued growth across most production indicators in the Kingdom’s animal resources sector.
The production of table eggs rose 6.3% to 8.4 billion, while the broiler chicken output saw a strong 13% increase to 1.25 million tons.
In contrast, specialized farms saw a slight 0.4% decline in the number of milking cows, and raw-milk production fell 4% versus 2023.
The number of sheep and goats was broadly stable, while the camel population grew 1.4%. The number of cattle reached 516,000 head, up 2.8% from the previous year.
|
2024 Livestock Statistics |
|||
|
Indicator |
2023 |
2024 |
Change |
|
Table egg production (bln) |
7.9 |
8.4 |
6.3 % |
|
Broiler chicken production (‘000 tons) |
1107 |
1250 |
13.0 % |
|
Number of dairy cows in specialized cattle projects |
234.0 |
233.0 |
(4.0%) |
|
Quantity of raw milk production from specialized cattle projects (bln liters) |
2.8 |
2.7 |
(4.0%) |
|
Number of sheep (mln heads) |
22.0 |
22.1 |
0.5 % |
|
Number of goats (mln heads) |
7.4 |
7.3 |
(1.4%) |
|
Number of camels (mln heads) |
2.21 |
2.24 |
1.4 % |
|
Number of cattle (‘000 heads) |
502.0 |
516.0 |
2.8 % |
The table egg production increased across the Kingdom, growing by 6% to 8.42 billion eggs, from 7.91 billion eggs in 2023.
Riyadh came on top by production with 3.21 billion eggs (+5% year-on-year), followed by Makkah (1.54 billion eggs), and the Eastern Region (1.09 billion eggs).
Hail and the remaining regions recorded the highest growth rates at 41% and 46%, respectively.
Table Egg Production (bln)
|
Region |
2023 |
2024 |
Change |
|
Riyadh |
3.06 |
3.21 |
5 % |
|
Makkah |
1.46 |
1.54 |
5 % |
|
Madinah |
0.37 |
0.39 |
5 % |
|
Qassim |
0.82 |
0.86 |
5 % |
|
Eastern Region |
1.04 |
1.09 |
5 % |
|
Aseer |
0.73 |
0.76 |
5 % |
|
Tabuk |
0.14 |
0.14 |
5 % |
|
Hail |
0.24 |
0.34 |
41 % |
|
Remaining Regions |
0.05 |
0.08 |
46 % |
|
Total |
7.91 |
8.42 |
6 % |
The production of raw milk decreased by 3.5% YoY across the Kingdom to 2.71 billion liters, compared to 2.82 billion liters in 2023.
Raw milk production in Riyadh declined by 5% YoY to 1.56 billion liters. In the Eastern Region, raw milk production declined by 1.6% YoY to 1.07 billion liters.
|
Raw Milk Production (‘000 Liters) |
|||
|
Region |
2023 |
2024 |
Change |
|
Riyadh |
1.65 |
1.56 |
(5.0%) |
|
Eastern Region |
1.08 |
1.07 |
(1.6%) |
|
Remaining Regions |
0.09 |
0.09 |
1.52 % |
|
Total |
2.82 |
2.71 |
(3.5%) |
Saudi Arabia’s poultry sector showed a diverse regional distribution of projects and capacity by end-2024, with 487 projects and a combined capacity of 274.07 million birds.
Makkah ranked first with 99 projects and a capacity of 65.86 million birds, accounting for 24% of total capacity. Riyadh followed with 147 projects and 58.93 million birds (22%), while Asir placed third with 122 projects and 45.05 million birds (16%).
Hail, Qassim and the Eastern Region recorded between 6% and 12% of total capacity. The remaining regions — including Najran, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Baha, Al-Jouf and Jazan (a combined share of below 5%).
|
Poultry Projects and Capacity by Region (2024) |
|||
|
Region |
No. of Projects |
Capacity (mln birds) |
% of Total |
|
Makkah |
99 |
65.86 |
24 % |
|
Riyadh |
147 |
58.93 |
22 % |
|
Aseer |
122 |
45.05 |
16 % |
|
Hail |
7 |
34.64 |
12 % |
|
Qassim |
13 |
28.20 |
10 % |
|
Eastern Region |
39 |
17.09 |
6 % |
|
Najran |
25 |
9.96 |
4 % |
|
Madinah |
20 |
8.28 |
3 % |
|
Tabuk |
6 |
5.35 |
2 % |
|
Al-Baha |
3 |
0.41 |
0.14 % |
|
Al-Jouf |
4 |
0.20 |
0.07 % |
|
Jazan |
2 |
0.10 |
0.04 % |
|
Total |
487 |
274.07 |
100 % |
For layer-chicken operations, the data show 188 projects nationwide by end-2024 with combined capacity of 55.1 million birds.
Riyadh led with 67 projects and 16.2 million birds (29%), followed by Qassim with 23 projects and 9.9 million birds (18%), and the Eastern Region with 26 projects totaling about 8.6 million birds (16%).
Madinah ranked fourth with 7.68 million birds (14%), trailed by Hail with 5.51 million birds (10%). Makkah, Tabuk, Asir and other regions each accounted for 2–7% of total capacity.
|
Layer Chickens and Capacity by Region (2024) |
|||
|
Region |
No. of Projects |
Capacity (mln birds) |
% of Total |
|
Riyadh |
67 |
16.16 |
29 % |
|
Qassim |
23 |
9.88 |
18 % |
|
Eastern Region |
26 |
8.58 |
16 % |
|
Madinah |
12 |
7.68 |
14 % |
|
Hail |
14 |
5.51 |
10 % |
|
Makkah |
19 |
3.79 |
7 % |
|
Tabuk |
8 |
1.66 |
3 % |
|
Aseer |
13 |
0.87 |
2 % |
|
Remaining Regions |
6 |
0.97 |
2 % |
|
Total |
188 |
55.10 |
100 % |
As part of Saudi Arabia’s push toward self-sufficiency and stronger food security, the planned Livestock City in Hafr Al-Batin is emerging as a flagship strategic project. Announced as the largest livestock hub in the Middle East, it spans 11 million square meters and is valued at SAR 9 billion.
The project is expected to meet 30% of the Kingdom’s red-meat needs and produce 140,000 liters of milk daily.
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