Camel Milk Gains Global Traction, Expands Beyond Traditional Markets

This traditional beverage, known for its cultural importance, is now being consumed in diverse forms such as milkshakes, ice creams, baby formula, and even cosmetic products like shampoo. Key growth markets, including the United States, India, China, and Russia, are contributing to the rising demand, driven by a growing awareness of its health benefits.

At the forefront of this expansion is Camelicious, the world's largest camel farm, located in Dubai. Founded 25 years ago, Camelicious has transformed from a regional producer to an international supplier, exporting camel dairy products to 14 countries. Mustasher Al Badry, Deputy General Manager of Camelicious, highlights the challenges and opportunities in educating consumers about the benefits of switching from cow’s milk to camel milk. "It is a big challenge actually, but when people start to know about camel milk’s benefits, they shift to camel milk," Al Badry explains.

Studies have shown that camel milk may offer health advantages over cow’s milk, particularly for individuals with lactose intolerance. It is also rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium, nutrients that have been linked to combatting autoimmune conditions. Additionally, Camelicious has developed a baby formula specifically designed for children with cow’s milk allergies, following research conducted in partnership with a hospital in Mexico.

China, a key importer of camel milk powder from Camelicious, has been transforming the product into various dairy offerings, including cheese. With growing interest from Europe and Russia, Camelicious is considering restarting its own camel cheese production to meet demand. “We got a very good response from the Russian market – so we will make cheese again,” says Koushik Choudhury, plant manager at Camelicious.

The company is also diversifying its product range in an effort to secure better margins and compete with the well-established cow’s milk market. Given the high production costs of camel milk, Camelicious is focusing on developing value-added products. "We’re increasing the product portfolio and also we’re not trading in fresh milk because it’s very costly," Al Badry notes. In line with this strategy, the company is set to launch camel milk protein bars, catering to the fitness and health-conscious consumer segment by the end of the year.

As camel milk continues to expand its presence worldwide, Camelicious is positioning itself as a leader in the industry, capitalizing on growing consumer interest in alternative dairy products and the health benefits associated with camel dairy.