Camelicious is preparing to introduce products over the next three months as the UAE camel dairy company seeks to bring camel milk into more everyday occasions and reach consumer segments in the UAE and overseas, Hesham Yehia Abd El Hakim, the company’s acting Chief Executive Officer told Lana in an exclusive interview.
“We continuously explore new product opportunities that respond to changing consumer lifestyles while remaining true to our commitment to quality and nutrition. In fact, we’re preparing to introduce several exciting new products over the next three months, each designed to bring camel milk into more everyday occasions and reach new consumer segments,” he said.
In addition, Camelicious’ Hakim said its aim is to continue developing products that make camel milk “more accessible, more convenient and relevant to modern consumers, both in the UAE and internationally.”
Camelicious farm houses almost 7,000 camels
Camelicious was established in 2006 as part of Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products.
The company said it was inspired by the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai to transform one of the UAE’s natural assets into a dairy business.
“Our ambition has always been to honour the UAE’s rich camel heritage while harnessing modern farming, food safety and dairy technologies to create world-class products that can compete globally. Today, Camelicious is recognised as the world’s largest and most advanced camel dairy, proudly showcasing Emirati innovation to consumers both locally and internationally,” Hakim said, adding that Camelicious’ Dubai farm is home to almost 7,000 camels and produces about three million litres of camel milk each year for consumers across the UAE and export markets.
But, why camel milk?
According to Hakim, camel milk contains A2 protein, B12, electrolytes and Vitamin C. It said camel milk is also high in unsaturated fat and contains less fat than many traditional dairy products, making it easier to digest.
“Perhaps the biggest misconception is that camel milk is only a traditional or niche product. The reality is that camel milk is an incredibly versatile dairy ingredient that fits naturally into modern lifestyles. Whether it’s in your morning coffee, afternoon tea, protein shake, smoothie, breakfast bowl or even your favorite baking and cooking recipes, camel milk delivers the same functionality consumers expect from dairy, while offering its own unique nutritional benefits,” he said.
However, when asked whether it wants camel milk to become a daily household staple, a premium wellness product or a cultural export from the UAE, Hakim said: “The answer is all three.”
“Our ambition is to make camel milk a natural part of everyday healthy living while maintaining its premium positioning and celebrating its importance as one of the UAE’s most iconic agricultural products. At the same time, we’re proud to be taking an authentic Emirati success story to international markets, helping position camel milk as one of the UAE’s most distinctive food exports,” he further explained.
Ice cream and milk powder add to demand
As for Camelicious’ customer base, its consumers include health-conscious individuals, families, wellness-focused consumers, fitness enthusiasts and people seeking products with farm-to-table transparency.
The company said hotels, cafés and restaurants are also using camel milk to offer guests “an authentic taste of the UAE combined with world-class quality.”
Consumer awareness has grown in recent years, according to Camelicious’ Hakim, who revealed that today’s consumers are looking for locally produced products with health benefits – a trend that has been “very positive” for the company.
Fresh camel milk remains its flagship product, while flavoured milk continues to attract consumers. The company recently announced the expansion of its camel milk ice cream range through Kibsons, the UAE online grocery platform, as temperatures rise and demand for frozen products increases.
“As summer temperatures pick up in the UAE, we see consumers being drawn to ice cream more, with favorites being pistachio and hazelnut as authentic flavors of the UAE. We’re also seeing growing demand for our camel milk powder across international markets. As dairy sensitivities become more common worldwide, camel milk is increasingly being recognised as a natural alternative,” he said.
UAE growth and international expansion
When asked if Camelicious has a regional expansion plan, Hakim revealed the company’s priority is to strengthen its presence across the UAE while expanding into selected international markets.
“We’re already exporting to a growing number of countries, and we continue to explore new regional and global opportunities where there is increasing demand for premium, high-quality dairy products with a strong heritage story. Expansion is about sustainable growth while maintaining the exceptional quality standards Camelicious is known for,” he said.
As competition in the dairy market grows, Camelicious said its strength lies in combining heritage with innovation while controlling quality from farm to finished product.
“We operate the world’s largest and most advanced camel dairy, giving us complete control over quality from farm to finished product. Our investment in technology, food safety, animal welfare and research allows us to deliver consistently premium products while maintaining complete traceability and transparency,” he said, adding that Camelicious “isn’t simply producing dairy products.”
“We’re helping shape the future of the global camel dairy industry through innovation, education and international expansion,” he said, adding that the company said it contributes to the UAE’s food security, local production and agricultural innovation ambitions while preserving part of the country’s heritage.
“As consumer awareness continues to grow, we believe camel milk has an exciting future both here in the UAE and around the world. Our ambition is not only to grow Camelicious, but to help grow the global camel dairy industry and continue showcasing one of the UAE’s greatest success stories on the international stage,” he concluded.
