FROM DESERT RESEARCH TO GLOBAL DEMAND: CAMELICIOUS PIONEERS THE MODERN CAMEL MILK INDUSTRY

A research initiative launched in Dubai more than three decades ago has grown into the world’s most advanced camel milk production operation. Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products now supplies Camelicious products internationally, combining scientific research, modern dairy technology and thousands of camels to build a sustainable global camel milk industry.

More than three decades ago, scientists at the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in Dubai began exploring a concept that many considered unusual at the time: establishing a facility dedicated to milking camels. The initiative was not merely agricultural curiosity but a scientific mission aimed at understanding and proving the health benefits of camel milk through rigorous research.

The work carried out by researchers focused on documenting the nutritional and therapeutic properties of camel milk, long valued in desert cultures but largely absent from modern commercial dairy markets. Their objective was clear—to gather scientific evidence that would support the introduction of camel milk into mainstream markets and make it accessible to a wider population.

After years of study and development, the research programme reached a major milestone in 2003, paving the way for the establishment of Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products (EICMP). The organisation was founded to transform the laboratory’s findings into a viable commercial enterprise capable of producing camel milk products on an industrial scale.

The next major step came in 2006, when EICMP completed its milk production facility. In August of that year, the company launched its first products under the Camelicious label, marking the commercial debut of camel milk on retail shelves across the United Arab Emirates. What began as a scientific exploration had evolved into a pioneering dairy brand representing a new category within the global milk industry.

Today, the EICMP complex represents one of the most sophisticated camel dairy operations in the world. Housing more than 6,000 camels, the facility integrates farming, milking and processing within a single operation. At its heart is the world’s first highly advanced camel milking plant, equipped with specialised technology designed specifically for camel physiology and milk production.

Unlike traditional dairies adapted from cow-milking systems, the facility incorporates dedicated research and monitoring infrastructure that allows scientists and technicians to continually study camel health, milk yield and product quality. This integrated model has helped establish Dubai as a global centre for camel milk innovation.

Maintaining international standards has been central to the operation’s success. Milk production at the facility is closely monitored and adheres to strict food safety protocols. Both the farm and dairy processing operations have achieved ISO 22000 certification, while production systems follow Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) procedures to ensure consistent quality and safety.

The company’s compliance with stringent export requirements has also enabled camel milk products to reach international markets. The operation meets European Union standards for dairy exports, positioning the UAE as one of the few regions capable of supplying camel milk products to global consumers under regulated food safety frameworks.

Despite its expanding reach, demand continues to outpace supply. Camel milk has gained growing international attention for its nutritional properties, including high levels of vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring compounds that many consumers associate with health and wellness benefits.

Recognising this momentum, EICMP is focusing on expanding production while maintaining the sustainability of camel farming in the region. The company’s broader ambition is not only to increase supply but also to establish a robust camel milk industry that positions the UAE as a global leader in this niche but rapidly growing dairy sector.

What began as a scientific inquiry in a Dubai research laboratory has now evolved into a pioneering agricultural and food enterprise—one that blends tradition, technology and global ambition to bring the milk of the desert to tables around the world.