Camel milk market to reach $2 billion by 2032

Camel milk may be the latest player to enter the alternative milk category. A new report from Fact.MR estimated sales of camel milk products will reach $1.34 billion by 2032.

The report expects the camel milk market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. That means the camel milk market would exceed a $2 billion valuation by 2032, the research firm reported.

According to Fact.MR’s report, a number of dairy companies have expanded their product portfolio to include camel milk, prompting a surge in the market.

Per the market research firm, camel milk is more common in the regions where camels are extensively found. Camel milk popularity, however, is growing in other regions. Markets that are expected to see higher growth in the camel milk market include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia and India.

How camel milk nutrition stacks up

The popularity of camel milk, particularly in food supplements, is driven by its nutritional profile, according to Fact.MR.

Camel milk is rich in vitamins B1 and B2, and it has three to five times the amount of vitamin C as cow milk, scientific research shows. Compared to cow milk, camel milk is similar in its mineral make-up, with a comparable concentration of phosphorous, magnesium, sodium and potassium, but with higher amounts of zinc, iron, copper and manganese.

Researchers further contend camel milk yields antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic and anti-cholesterol activities, among others.

Another perk of camel milk is its potential to serve as a substitute for people who are allergic to cow milk—a concern that’s helped to drive the burgeoning dairy alternatives market.

Cow’s milk contains a high content of α-casein and a whey protein called β-lactoglobulin, both of which can cause allergic reactions for people of all ages, including infants. Specifically, boosting camel’s milk’s anti-allergenic properties is its lack of β-lactoglobulin. Plus, α-lactalbumin, the primary whey protein in camel’s milk, has higher antioxidant activity and is more easily digested than α-lactalbumin from cow’s milk, researchers suggest.

In addition, individuals with lactose intolerance can safely consume camel milk.

Camel milk in foods, beverages

In foods and beverages, Fact.MR analysts reported a “healthy influx” of the milk product as an ingredient, in response to consumers’ growing interest in functional foods.

India-based Sarhad Dairy opened a camel milk processing plant in March 2018. The company currently produces and sells camel milk chocolates in India and announced plans to process the unsold camel milk into skim milk powder, Fact.MR reported.

Also in 2018, Dubai-based Camelicious developed a camel milk-based baby formula. The company sells a range of camel milk products, including fresh camel milk, milk powder, camel milk ice cream and more.

Due to its higher content of ascorbic acid compared to cow’s milk, camel’s milk can benefit from improved shelf life of its products and increased antioxidant abilities. Camel’s milk also has better heat stability than cow’s milk.