Camel: The new cash cow

Dubai - Camel milk is slowly gaining attention of health-conscious residents for its nutrient-rich features

The price of camel milk may be twice as much as traditional cow milk in the UAE market, but it is slowly gaining attention of health-conscious residents for its nutrient-rich features.
"One litre of cow milk is around Dh6 but camel milk will cost you Dh20. It is quite expensive since camels produce much less milk on a daily basis than cows. But the benefits camel milk provides outweigh the price," Haider Shah, general manager of Café2go, told Khaleej Times. The coffee shop's brand, Camellos, serves snacks and beverages with camel meat and milk as a prime ingredient.
On a similar front, Mutasher Awad Al Badry, deputy general manager and business development manager of Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products, explains the reason behind the cost: "Camel milk production is less than cow milk production, taking note that it is only up to 30 per cent of cow milk production. Also, camel breeding costs are more than cows. Cows produce milk over the year, but with camels, the cycle is repeated once every three years. Therefore, the cost of a litre of camel milk may exceed the cost of three litres of cow's milk."

While Al Badry states that there are no accurate figures about the camel milk industry as of yet, a general report by Euromonitor titled 'Dairy in the UAE' reveals that drinking milk products recorded a value CAGR of two per cent in 2016 and are expected to reach sales of Dh1.6 billion in 2021. "This is largely in line with the corresponding CAGR recorded over the review period, reflecting the maturity of the category as well as the impact of strong price controls on its products," it stated.
While the concept of consuming camel-based products is not new to natives of the Middle East, Shah believes that expatriates may be adamant to try it due to lack of information.
"Consumers lack information about the health benefits that camel milk offers. Camel milk has 10 times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow's milk. Additionally, camel's milk is lower in cholesterol, fat and high in protein. There have been medical research showing that camel milk has actually helped children with autism live a better life, and individuals who are lactose intolerant are able to cope with camel milk much better. Everyone is hesitant to try something new for the first time, but when we educate them about the health benefits and they taste the beverages they love them," Shah adds.
To date, camel milk is available in original as well as flavoured varieties - such as chocolate, strawberry and dates - to appeal to demanding tastebuds. It is further blended into other appetising treats such as laban, cheese, and even ice cream.
"Looking back at history, camel milk has been the staple food for the Bedouins for a long time. I'd like to think that camel-based beverages and products are not too far from being accepted by the consumers," Shah says.
Camel milk is also growing popular on dining tables across the globe, thanks to the UAE's high quality produce and state-of-the-art facilities that live up to internationally renowned certifications. One of the key players in the consumer market is the Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products with an assortment of dairy items under the brand Camelicious. According to Al Badry, Camelicious stands as the only camel milk brand and dairy production facility in the world to receive EU Commission approval to export to the EU zone.
Driving the market on a sweet note, camel milk has become an exotic ingredient in confectionery, as told by Martin van Almsick, General Manager of Al Nassma. The brand, which offers a selection of luxury chocolates made from pure camel milk, represents UAE's premium products in major department stores and duty free shops in airports around the world.
"(Al Nassma) Camel milk chocolate finds itself in quite a few of the most demanding gourmet retail places around the globe and created a fanbase for a unique quality product made with camel milk. It certainly is one of the most expensive chocolate products in the world, but a growing number of customers are ready to pay a fair price for uncompromising quality chocolates," Almsick adds.
Its presence in Dubai Duty Free alone reels in over 30 per cent of customers from Europe, and one-third from East-Asian countries. "Camel milk is a wonderful product. It is very low in fat and slightly salty, which causes a distinct texture and pleasant mineral taste. I personally drink it every day, and as the word about its unique taste and health benefits spreads rapidly, we have no doubt that over time it will conquer the world," he concludes.
-farhana@khaleejtimes.com