A Chinese cargo vessel recently docked at the Jeddah Islamic Port carrying 75,000 head of Chinese goats and cows, the first shipment of its kind in two decades. It follows a visit by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to China. The consignment is the first of several heading for the country from both Arab and European countries as part of a government scheme to diversify sources of livestock in the country’s market.

According to the owner of the Al-Jabri Commercial Establishment, Suleiman Saeed Al-Jabri, “Chinese cattle are known for their quality and are suited to the Saudi market as they belong to the Naeemi variety of goats." He stated the importance of domestic cattle markets but added that cattle imports will help to stabilise prices and make cattle more affordable.

Another ship carrying 100,000 goats and 2,000 head of cattle from Australia, valued at SAR45 million ($12 million), has also arrived.