Dubai's first camel milk products arrive in the EU

With the UAE securing approval from the EU to export its camel milk, the first Dubai camel milk products are now arriving in Europe.

The Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products (EICMP), producer of camel milk brand 'Camelicious', has commenced sending its first products to various countries in the European Union.

The company became the first Middle Eastern company to export camel milk products to the European Union after it was officially listed on the website of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission (SANCO).

The first exports include camel milk powder, fresh milk and camel whey powder.

Mutasher Al-Badry, deputy general manager & business development manager at EICMP said, "We are very proud to be the first UAE-based company to ship camel milk powder to Europe on the new permit.

"We would like to thank all parties involved in this effort to see Dubai and our brand 'Camelicious' find its rank amongst global exporters."

He said he was thrilled to see the firm's products on the European market, and added that this was a "ground-breaking step for our company as well as for the camel milk industry in the UAE."

EICMP had been listed in the section for third country establishments of Section IX, raw milk and dairy products, under the United Arab Emirates section entitling the company to officially export camel milk and camel milk products to all of the 27 member countries of the EU in June 2013.

The first container export of 'Camelicious' camel milk powder will be shipped by the sister company Al Nassma Chocolate LLC to Austria for production of its camel milk chocolate.

Martin van Almsick, general manager of Al Nassma Chocolate LLC said, "Al Nassma has been shipping camel milk powder to Austria for the last five years, yet a special permit was always needed. The official listing of our sister company EICMP will facilitate our operation tremendously, also for our café-lounge concept 'The Majlis'.

"We are very optimistic that we will witness camel milk become a product that is recognised globally for its high quality and benefits.The long-term goal now will be to develop a strong and sustainable camel milk industry," he said.

In March of this year, following a five-year-long process issuing and amending regulations and guidelines to comply with those of the EU Commission, the Emirate of Dubai received EU permission to export camel milk and camel milk products to the EU.