“We Don’t Just Sell Products — We Create Dairy Solutions That Meet Real Consumer Needs”— Sergei Kiselev, Al Ain Farms Group
From April 7 to 10, 2025, the Dairy Olympics will take place in the UAE, bringing together leading experts, industry leaders, and innovators. Sergei Kiselev, Head of Research and Development at Al Ain Farms Group, will deliver an important presentation on «Transforming the world of food with alternative proteins».
Sergei is known for his unconventional approach to solving challenges related to innovation in the dairy industry. In an interview for DairyNews.today, he shared insights on current trends, the challenges facing the industry, and how technology helps address consumer needs.
Sergei, what are the main trends in the dairy industry that you are paying attention to?
— The dairy industry is evolving rapidly, and the most impactful trends are rooted in consumer needs — fr om health and nutrition to sustainability and convenience. Today’s consumers are looking for functional products with real benefits: clean labels, added protein, immunity support, and environmentally responsible practices.
At Al Ain Farms Group, we don’t just follow trends — we look deeper to understand the challenges behind them. We approach innovation through the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ), which helps us uncover unmet needs and rethink how we create value. It’s not about launching more products — it’s about developing the right solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
You mentioned the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving. How does it apply to your business?
—TRIZ is a practical framework that helps us identify the root of a problem and design solutions in the most efficient way possible. In a fast-paced industry like dairy, wh ere speed, cost-efficiency, and quality all matter, it gives us a structured way to innovate without waste.
For example, rather than relying on trial and error — where only a fraction of new products may succeed — we use this methodology to improve our odds fr om the start. It pushes us to challenge conventional thinking, minimize resource use, and reduce the risk of failure. At Al Ain Farms Group, this mindset enables us to stay agile and deliver smarter, more relevant products to market, faster.
How do you make decisions at the company?
— While we operate within a classic business framework, we always strive to think differently and challenge convention wh ere it makes sense. Innovation is important, but we recognize that it’s not always the fastest or lowest-risk path — especially in a business environment where proven solutions are often preferred.
In our approach to research and development, everything starts with marketing. That’s where we gain the clearest understanding of what the consumer wants. Fr om there, it’s our role as technical specialists to translate those needs into precise formulations — turning insights into numbers, recipes, and ultimately, real products. That requires not just technical know-how, but also strong data analysis skills and close cross-functional collaboration.
How do new technologies and innovations affect the dairy market?
— Technology is a key driver in the evolution of the dairy industry. At Al Ain Farms Group, we’re actively exploring advanced techniques like membrane and electromagnetic technologies that allow us to separate milk into different fractions. This opens up exciting possibilities to develop functional dairy products with enhanced texture, taste, and nutritional benefits.
What’s particularly promising is that many of these technologies are already being used successfully in other industries — but remain underutilized in dairy. As we begin to adapt and apply them, we’re not just improving product quality; we’re helping shape a new generation of dairy offerings that meet the evolving needs of modern consumers.
What technologies do you see as most promising in the next 5 years, and what are their prospects in the UAE?
— In the next five years, I believe we’ll see major advances in areas like alternative proteins, next-generation ingredients, and technologies such as pinpoint precise fermentation. These innovations have the potential to reshape what we define as dairy — from how it's produced to its nutritional profile and sustainability impact.
The UAE is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. It’s becoming a global hub wh ere tradition meets innovation, offering the perfect environment to develop and scale new ideas. We see incredible potential in locally relevant ingredients like dates, camel milk, and regional nuts — all of which could emerge as the superfoods of the future.
Technologies like precision fermentation and advanced milk processing will allow us to create dairy products that are not only more functional and sustainable, but also better aligned with the evolving preferences of today’s consumers. Our challenge — and opportunity — is to stay open, adaptable, and always focused on meaningful innovation. These themes will take center stage at the Dairy Olympics 2025.
You mentioned "precise fermentation." Could you explain in more detail what this technology is and how it might impact the dairy industry?
— Precise fermentation is more of an evolution than a revolution. It builds on well-established scientific principles — using microorganisms to create ingredients or products with high biological value. What’s changing now is our ability to apply this process with greater accuracy and efficiency, thanks to advanced technologies that make it viable for large-scale commercial use.
This isn't about replacing traditional dairy or livestock farming — it’s about complementing it. Precision fermentation can help us enhance the nutritional value, consistency, and sustainability of dairy products. The real opportunity lies in combining new technologies with traditional methods to create a synergy that benefits both producers and consumers. It’s about expanding what's possible in dairy, not limiting it.
Dairy Olympics 2025 is an international conference taking place from April 7-10, 2025, in the UAE, bringing together leading experts and specialists from the global dairy industry. This event will serve as a key platform for discussing current trends, innovations, and challenges facing the dairy sector.
The Olympics will showcase the latest technologies, sustainable solutions for dairy production, and insights into digitalization, environmental strategies, and emerging dairy markets.
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