CAMELICIOUS: BUILDING THE WORLD’S MOST ADVANCED CAMEL DAIRY VALUE CHAIN

UAE – The Global Camel Dairy Market size was valued at USD 8137.5 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8666.4 Million in 2026, according to Global Growth Insights.

The growth is attributed to rising demand for camel milk-based products, including powders, yoghurts, cheeses, and infant formula, which is steadily increasing in both developed and emerging economies.

Historically known as the “white gold of the desert,” camel milk has played a central nutritional, economic, and cultural role in arid regions, particularly across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.

The UAE produces more than 7,000 tonnes of pasteurised camel milk annually, meeting domestic demand and supplying selected export markets, including the European Union, China and the United States.

It contributes to food security and livelihoods in pastoralist communities, provides a natural dairy alternative where conventional cattle farming is constrained by climate, and increasingly attracts scientific and commercial attention for its therapeutic and functional attributes related to metabolism, immunity and lactose tolerance.

Against this backdrop of global diversification, Dairy Business Middle East & Africa sat down with Hesham Yehia Abdebaki, the acting CEO of Camelicious, an UAE-based pioneer in industrial camel dairy, to dive deep into how the company is transforming camel milk from an ancestral practice into a global, vertically integrated, science-driven camel milk operation.

Setting Global Benchmarks for Science and Culture

Camelicious was established as a UAE initiative inspired by the intersection of Emirati heritage, modern science and sustainability.

The company traces its foundations back to 1998, when the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) began pioneering research into camel milking and production techniques.

At the time, camel milk was widely consumed in traditional contexts but lacked the scientific validation, processing standards and regulatory frameworks required for commercial dairy markets.

In 2003, this research momentum culminated in the establishment of the Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products to produce camel milk for safe human consumption using modern technology while preserving cultural authenticity.

In 2005, this vision materialised with the establishment of the world’s first camel milk production facility designed to meet stringent European Union health standards.

A year later, in 2006, the Camelicious brand was officially launched, introducing the first all-natural camel milk products to the market.

Over the past two decades, the company has carved out a distinct niche as the global reference brand for camel milk, bridging tradition and innovation to meet the needs of today’s health-conscious consumers.

Fully Integrated operations from farm to table

One of Camelicious’ defining strengths is its fully integrated value chain, all located in Dubai.

The company operates its own dedicated camel farm, a modern dairy processing and packaging facility purpose-built for camel milk, in-house laboratory and quality assurance systems, as well as warehousing and export operations.

This integrated structure allows Camelicious to maintain complete control from animal welfare and milk collection through processing, packaging and international distribution.

The company also prides in a long-standing leadership presence which has ensured that Camelicious remains anchored in scientific integrity, animal welfare and quality excellence.

According to the company, several of the original founders and project developers who helped establish it more than 20 years ago remain actively involved in the business, ensuring continuity of leadership.

This principle has shaped the company from inception and continues to guide its growth strategy today. More than 400 employees work across the farm, factory, quality, logistics and support functions, ensuring consistency, traceability and compliance across both domestic and international markets.

With an annual production of approximately 3 million litres, subject to seasonal variation, the Camelicious farm is the largest and most advanced camel milk production facility in the world, housing over 7,000 camels and setting benchmarks for breeding, veterinary care, nutrition and hygiene.

Ethical sourcing, strict biosecurity and high animal welfare standards are embedded across daily operations.

A diversified portfolio of products

Camelicious’ product portfolio reflects both functional nutrition trends and consumer accessibility.

Core offerings include fresh camel milk. This 1-ingredient superfood is easier to digest, it is naturally energizing and hydrating while boosting immunity, leaving consumers feeling light, balanced and energized.

Fresh camel milk is versatile to be used across many occasions, coffee/tea, cooking, baking, smoothies, etc., a product targeted at health-conscious consumers and families seeking natural nutrition. 

Flavoured camel milk variants, including dates, saffron, chocolate and strawberry, have been developed to broaden appeal, particularly among children and first-time consumers, while preserving the inherent nutritional benefits of camel milk. 

For international and convenience-driven markets, Camelicious offers shelf-stable long-life camel milk, enabling extended shelf life without reliance on refrigeration.

Camel milk powder represents another strategic format, valued for its long shelf life, portability and suitability for both consumer and institutional applications, including foodservice and further food processing.

Premium camel milk ice cream rounds out the portfolio, introducing camel milk to new audiences through indulgent experiences while reinforcing brand quality.

Date milk is a consumer favorite, due to its “no added sugar” taste profile bringing together two heritage products from the UAE – dates and camel milk. 

Recent product innovations in flavoured and indulgent formats have helped diversify revenue streams, broaden the consumer base and strengthen brand relevance across demographics.

Building a niche category

As a pioneer, Camelicious has faced a challenge that goes beyond conventional dairy competition. The company operates within an industry that is still evolving in terms of regulatory frameworks, public awareness, and sector-specific infrastructure.

In some cases, camel milk is assessed under frameworks originally designed for cow milk, which do not always reflect the biological and processing differences and nutritional facts of camel milk.

The absence of an international specification for pasteurised camel milk has constrained commercial expansion and created opportunities for fraudulent practices, including blending camel milk powder with cow’s milk, ultimately affecting global market uptake.

As a raft of measures, the company collaborates with government authorities, research institutions, and industry partners to support the development of science-based regulations and standards that underpin the sustainable growth of the camel dairy sector.

Thankfully, the company now sees a green light as the Codex Alimentarius Commission has approved a proposal submitted by the UAE to develop the world’s first international standard for pasteurised camel milk.

Despite regulation challenges, Camelicious operates under internationally recognised food safety and quality management systems, including FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, GMP, FSMA compliance, and Halal certification with Chinese export permits being the most significant.

According to the company, they do not operate a standalone R&D department. Instead, research and development activities are embedded across production, quality, regulatory and technical functions.

This integrated approach reflects the applied nature of camel milk innovation, where product and process development must align closely with regulatory requirements and operational realities.

Cross-functional collaboration ensures that innovation remains practical, science-led and market-relevant, supporting continuous improvement without compromising safety or quality.

The company has received recognition through compliance approvals, export accreditations, and quality certifications across multiple international markets, including Asia, Europe, and North America.

These milestones are particularly significant given the complexity of camel milk as a category and the stringent requirements applied to dairy. 

To address awareness challenges, the company resolved to continue educating consumers about camel milk, its nutritional profile, and its role as a credible alternative to cow’s milk.

Over the last  years, the company has intensified efforts to bring consumers closer to the source through farm and factory visits, tasting programs and experiential initiatives that demystify camel milk production.

Investing for Access, Not Just Scale

Rather than pursuing rapid capacity expansion through new greenfield plants, Camelicious has adopted a disciplined investment strategy centred on optimising and upgrading its existing, purpose-built facilities.

This approach reflects the company’s focus on long-term resilience, regulatory readiness and operational excellence in a highly specialised dairy category.

A major recent milestone has been the successful development and introduction of shelf-stable camel milk products, particularly for the United States market.

Unlike conventional dairy, camel milk presents unique processing and regulatory challenges, making format adaptation critical for international expansion.

The shelf-stable investment was driven by detailed consumer insights and a clear understanding of market-specific distribution realities, enabling Camelicious to reduce dependence on cold-chain logistics while significantly improving accessibility, convenience and cost-efficiency for overseas consumers.

This shift has strengthened the company’s export capabilities, allowing Camelicious to scale its international presence while aligning product formats with local retail environments and consumption habits.

It has also enhanced supply-chain flexibility, reduced logistical complexity and supported more sustainable long-distance distribution.

Over the past  years, Camelicious has also expanded its footprint in highly regulated markets across Asia, Europe and North America.

Successfully securing and maintaining access to these markets has not only diversified Camelicious’ revenue base but has also reinforced its position as a credible, trusted and globally recognised reference brand for camel milk.

Sustainability, CSR at the core of operations

Sustainability is embedded throughout Camelicious’ value chain. A major milestone has been the installation of solar energy systems that now supply approximately 90% of the company’s total energy requirements, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and reliance on conventional power sources.

All Camelicious products are made exclusively from milk produced by the company’s own camels, raised and managed within its UAE-based operations. This model ensures full control over quality, animal welfare, traceability, and food safety.

The company’s impact on local camel farming is therefore structural rather than transactional.

Camelicious has professionalised camel dairy farming in the region, setting benchmarks for animal welfare, veterinary care, nutrition, breeding programs, and sustainable farm management.

These standards have contributed to elevating camel farming from a traditional practice into a modern, regulated agricultural sector aligned with international best practices.

In parallel, Camelicious has implemented a closed-loop waste management system. Manure generated from camel farming is converted into agricultural fertilizer through partnerships with local manufacturers, supporting local agriculture while reducing landfill impact.

Water stewardship is managed through controlled-use systems, optimised cleaning processes and continuous monitoring across farm and factory operations.

These measures minimise water waste while maintaining stringent hygiene and animal welfare standards. Collectively, these initiatives align with the UAE’s national sustainability agenda and demonstrate Camelicious’ commitment to measurable environmental responsibility.

As a locally based food producer, Camelicious also contributes to economic and social development primarily through stable employment and skills development.

Its CSR initiatives focus on education, inclusion and heritage preservation, with structured farm and factory visits welcoming schools, universities and special-needs institutions.

These programs provide hands-on learning about agriculture, animal welfare, food safety and nutrition, helping bridge the gap between urban communities and food production while reinforcing the cultural significance of camel milk.

Shaping the future of camel dairy

Looking ahead, Camelicious sees its future aligned with global trends toward functional nutrition, transparency and ethical production.

Rising consumer awareness around nutrition, digestive health and lifestyle-related conditions is driving demand for health-focused, traceable and ethically produced alternatives to conventional dairy.

Moreover, camel milk’s distinctive nutritional profile positions it as a premium option within this evolving landscape.

Camelicious plans to capitalise on these trends through continued investment in science-backed innovation, product development and education-led communication.

With its fully integrated model, strong scientific foundation and sustainability-led operations, Camelicious aims to pursue category leadership rather than volume-driven growth.

Through continued investment in innovation, education and regulatory engagement, the company is focused on shaping the global camel milk industry while reinforcing its position as the world’s leading reference brand.

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