Camel milk is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, mainly because it is healthy and can be an alternative for some lactose intolerant people. Market researchers expect annual growth of 6-9 percent. A barrier to growth may be that it is much more labour-intensive to keep and milk a camel than a cow, and therefore the product is more expensive. Hungary could also play a major role in the sector. Last year, many people took notice of the news that a delegation from Chad had arrived to study camel milk processing. Chad has the largest camel population; one of the world’s largest camel farms was set up under the guidance of Hungarian veterinarians and Hungarians have considerable expertise in camel milk processing.
The camel was domesticated around 4,000-6,000 years ago. The most widespread species is the one-humped camel (dromedary), native mainly to Africa and the Middle East. Much rarer is the two-humped camel (bactrian), originally from Central Asia. The wild camel, which also has two humps, is actually a different species, and is now on the brink of extinction.
Healthy alternative
Camels are kept as livestock for their excellent carrying capacity, milk, meat, skin and coat. Although cow’s milk is by far the most common worldwide, camel milk is also becoming increasingly popular. One reason for this is that it is extremely healthy and can be an alternative to plant milks for people with lactose intolerance.
- First of all because, just like human breast milk, camel milk does not contain so-called beta-lactoglobulin, which is often responsible for milk allergy.
- It also has a lower lactose (milk sugar) content than cow’s milk.
- It is generally low in fat.
- It is higher in vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium.
Camel milk, cow’s milk, calories (kcal), saturated fat, cholesterol, protein, calcium, source
The market for camel milk was estimated at $14.09 billion in 2023 by the Straits Research market research firm. They expect the sector to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6 percent to reach $25.04 billion by 2032. Grand View Research is even more optimistic, forecasting an annual growth rate of 9.4 per cent, which could exceed $24 billion in five years.
The growth is driven by the consumption of camel milk itself, as well as pharmaceuticals and processed products such as ice creams, chocolates and milk powder.
Increasingly popular worldwide
Not surprisingly, camel milk consumption is most widespread in areas where it is culturally customary to keep camels: primarily in Africa and Asia, especially in the Middle East and Central Asia. The largest producers are also from this region, although these figures are very inaccurate due to nomadic livestock farming and the lack of official reporting. Three countries, Kenya, Somalia and Pakistan account for roughly two thirds of production, mainly for local consumption. However, the fastest growing market for the product is in the United States and it is increasingly on the shelves in Europe. One barrier to camel milk’s expansion is the difficulty of rearing camels.
- Camels prefer a climate that is not a given everywhere.
- While a cow gives up to 20-25 litres of milk a day, a camel (depending on the breed) gives 5-7 litres, and milking is more complex and labour-intensive.
- Although they need less food and water, males – unlike bulls – must also be kept, which increases costs.
- This is why camel milk is much more expensive than cow’s milk: premium quality can cost up to 20-30 times more. Among the products you can order online, a bottle starts at around HUF 2,500, but we also found half-litre packs for HUF 7,000-8,000 (excluding delivery).
- It can be difficult to develop appropriate regulation and quality control.
The figure can be referenced here: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/22307665/
Hungary has the expertise
In Western Europe, such as the Netherlands and Belgium, it is no longer unusual to see camel milk on the shelves. This is not the case yet in Hungary, but it still plays a more important role in the sector than one might think at first.
Last year, the news that a delegation from Chad had visited Hungary to study camel milk processing came as a surprise. The Central African country’s interest is not coincidental: it has the world’s largest camel population, estimated at ten million. As shown above, the camel has economic potential, but the know-how is lacking.
The figure can be referenced here: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/22307707/
In Hungary, however, it is a given. It is little known, but the Hungarian Dairy Research Institute (MTKI) started its research on camel milk in 2012. Even if camels do not live in Hungary, we have agricultural know-how that could be of use in Africa. In projects coordinated by the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), we can help Chad in several areas.
What does this mean in practice? Among other things:
- the mechanisation of camel milking,
- installation and maintenance of the machines,
- the technology for preserving camel milk,
- the technology of powdering camel milk, i.e. making milk powder,
- compliance with European health and quality requirements,
- assessing and treating diseases in camels,
- the development of more efficient feeding systems adapted to local needs,
- training of professionals.
It is a convincing reference that the world’s first and largest camel milk farm in Dubai was built under Hungarian professional management, and that the head veterinarian and several other staff members are Hungarian. Veterinarians Dr. Péter Nagy and Dr. Judit Juhász founded Camelicious in 2006 on the commission of the Sheikh of Dubai. The initial herd of 25 dromedaries has now grown to 9,000.
It is also thanks to Dr. Péter Nagy that MTKI and AgroMilk Ltd., a dairy technology company, have received orders, and the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Safety of Széchenyi University in Mosonmagyaróvár and Semmelweis Medical University have also joined the research on the physiological effects of camel milk.
We would like to export the same model to Chad and later to other countries in Africa or the Middle East.
Valuable from tail to head
The camel is not only kept for its milk, but all its parts are used. Its meat is consumed, although it is not widespread: it accounts for only 0.13% of the world’s meat production. Its skin is also processed, and its tough but delicate material makes it perfect for bags and coats. Fur made from camel fur is considered a true luxury product. What is more, even the urine of female camels is sold, which is traditionally believed to have medicinal properties, although this has not been confirmed by World Health Organisation (WHO) tests. Because of its low water requirements and extreme hardiness, the camel was created to carry cargo as the “ship of the desert”. It is also a tourist attraction.
In fact, camel racing has a long tradition, especially in the Gulf countries. It may be surprising, but they can run at speeds of up to 50-60 kilometres per hour over short distances. Like horses, racing camels are also bred. The president of the European Camel Racing Federation and the director of the World Camelids Sport is also a Hungarian, Gergely Murányi, a sports diplomat.
Foreign policy expert, journalist, press officer. He was a foreign policy journalist and editor for fourteen years, mainly at Magyar Nemzet. He specializes in the Middle East and North Africa. As a journalist, he has visited several countries and conflict zones in the region. He has reported from Israel and Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, but he has also visited Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabak, and Cyprus.
