Sheep Prices in Saudi Arabia: What Moves Them Through the Year
Sheep prices in Saudi Arabia move with Ramadan, Hajj, rains, feed costs, breed and weight. Learn the drivers and track price per kg against cost per head.
There is no fixed sheep price in Saudi Arabia: the price of a head is set by season, breed, age, weight, feed costs and supply. Prices usually rise before Ramadan and in the weeks before Eid al-Adha, ease after the seasons and in good grazing years, and Najdi sheep usually sell above Naimi and Harri. Your best reference is the price per kg in your market compared with your own cost per head.
You will not find a daily price list here. Any figure written today changes within weeks and differs from one market and region to another. What helps a breeder more is understanding why prices move, when they move, and how to read your own numbers so you know whether a sale today is a profit or a loss.
What sets the price of a sheep
Before asking "how much is a lamb today?", know what builds that price:
- Season and demand. Ramadan, the Hajj season and Eid al-Adha are the peaks, followed by school holidays and the wedding season. Aqiqah and family feasts keep a steady demand all year.
- Breed. Najdi usually sits at the top of the price ladder thanks to its large frame and its show (mazayin) market; Naimi is in steady demand with stable prices; Harri usually sells lower outside its home regions. Sawakni sheep, imported from Sudan, arrive in volumes that influence slaughter-sheep prices and generally sell below local breeds. See our comparison of Naimi, Najdi and Harri.
- Age and sex. Young slaughter lambs have one market, top breeding rams another entirely, and cull ewes usually fetch less per head.
- Weight and body condition. A well-fleshed, even animal is in demand; a thin one is discounted even if its breed is excellent.
- Feed costs. When barley, alfalfa and concentrate prices rise, some breeders sell to lighten the load. Supply rises for a while and pushes prices down, then fewer animals reach the market later.
- Grazing and supply. In rainy years better pasture lowers costs for grazing flocks and changes when they sell, and the volume of imported animals affects slaughter prices, especially before the seasons.
Selling by weight: price per kg is the new language
Since 1 Muharram 1447 AH, livestock for slaughter in pens and public markets must be sold by weight on approved scales with a display, electronic recording and an invoice showing the type of animal, the weight in kg and the price. In practice the right comparison is no longer only "price per head" but price per kg live weight.
That favours the organised breeder. If you know an animal's weight before going to market, and how much each added kilo cost you, you can decide with confidence whether to accept an offer or wait. For the details, read our guide to selling livestock by weight in 1447.
The demand calendar through the year
This table describes the usual direction, not prices. It can differ from year to year with supply, feed and conditions.
| Season | Demand | Usual price direction |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks before Ramadan and its start | High for slaughter and feasts | Tends to rise |
| Mid-Ramadan to Eid al-Fitr | Moderate | Usually stable |
| Before Eid al-Adha (Hajj season) | Highest of the year, for udhiyah | Usually peaks days to weeks before Eid |
| After the days of Tashreeq | Drops clearly | Tends to fall |
| Holidays and wedding season | High for slaughter | Moderate rise |
| Aqiqah and family occasions | Steady all year | Supports prices at any time |
| Rainy years and spring grazing | More supply from grazing flocks | May ease |
| Rising feed prices | More forced selling | Short dip, then a later rise |
Remember that Hijri seasons move about 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. Ramadan 1448 starts around 8 February 2027 and Eid al-Adha 1448 falls around 16 May 2027; final dates follow the official announcement.
How to know your own price
Other people set the market price; your numbers set the minimum you accept. Start with three figures for every animal or batch:
- Cost per head: purchase price or the value of the newborn, plus its share of feed, labour, vet care and transport.
- Current weight: from a scale, not by eye.
- Offered price per kg: from the market or the buyer.
Illustrative example: if a lamb has cost you 1,100 SAR and weighs 40 kg, your break-even is 27.5 SAR per kg. Any offer below that is a loss; anything above is your margin. These numbers are only an illustration; use your own, and the cost per head calculator to work them out quickly.
In Throf you record expenses and sales and see your net profit and cost per head, while each animal's weights stay in its record. With a smart scale that reads the RFID tag, the weight is saved automatically with no typing. Log the weight and price after every sale, and over time you build a real record of your price per kg in each season, which is more reliable than any price list passed around.
When to sell
There is no single perfect moment, but these rules protect your margin:
- Have animals ready weeks before the peak. Whoever arrives in the last two days before Eid sells under time pressure.
- Do not hold an animal past its target weight if its daily gain has slowed; every extra day raises your cost per kg.
- Spread sales across seasons instead of betting on one: Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, summer, and aqiqah all year.
- Sell cull ewes and surplus males early if they are not part of a fattening plan.
- Plan births now. The mating date decides which season your lambs can reach. See our lambing plan for Ramadan and Eid.
For setting an asking price and negotiating step by step, read how to price livestock for sale.
FAQ
How much is a Naimi sheep in Saudi Arabia today?
The price changes with season, weight, age and region, so we do not quote a fixed figure. Ask your local market for the live price per kg and compare it with your cost per head.
When do sheep prices go up in Saudi Arabia?
Usually before Ramadan and in the weeks before Eid al-Adha, with a moderate rise in holidays and the wedding season. Prices tend to fall after the Eid days.
Why are Najdi sheep usually more expensive than Naimi?
Najdi sheep are larger, have a show market, and need better feeding and care. Prices still vary from one animal to another with age, weight and conformation.
Are sheep sold by weight in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Since 1 Muharram 1447 AH, livestock for slaughter in pens and public markets is sold by weight on approved scales, with an invoice showing weight and price.
General guidance only — it does not replace your veterinarian or the competent authority in your country.
