Camel Milk Products Market

Market Overview

The global camel milk products market size was valued at USD 13.22 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 23.02 billion in 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% over the forecast period (2023–2031). The therapeutic potential of camel milk is highly regarded and extensively utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of supplements, which is anticipated to drive market expansion.

In recent years, camel milk has gained significant popularity as a global gourmet food. Camel milk has less saturated fat and around ten times more vitamin C, calcium, iron, and potassium than cow's milk. These excellent nutritious properties, coupled with low lactose content, promote camel milk demand among consumers. It is one of the most nutritious dairy beverages that includes natural probiotics.

Camel milk enhances systemic immunity and gastrointestinal wellness. The beverage's lipid content is between 2% and 3% less than cow's milk. This is especially beneficial for health-conscious consumers who check their calorie intake. It is the closest substitute for breast milk for infants and newborns.

Market Dynamics

Global Camel Milk Products Market Drivers:

Increasing Product Adoption among Lactose-Intolerant Consumers

Over the last few years, camel milk and its derived products have been witnessing an increasing adoption among consumers across the globe, owing to camel milk's nutritious properties. One of the major properties of camel milk is that it does not contain β-lactoglobulin, an allergenic component found in all types of dairy milk. This property of camel milk makes it perfect for lactose-intolerant individuals who want to enjoy animal-based milk rather than plant-based or vegan milk.

Various studies, including "Nutritional and Therapeutic Characteristics of Camel Milk in Children: A Systematic Review," which was published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in November 2015, and "Study of the Biochemical Biodiversity of Camel Milk" that was published in Hindawi in April 2019, proved that camel milk is the closest to human's milk. These research studies suggested that the components present in camel milk are closely bio-identical to that of human colostrum. These properties are propelling the demand for camel milk and its derived products among lactose-intolerant consumers across the globe.

Growing Product Demand in the Pharmaceutical Industry

In recent years, camel milk has gained huge popularity among people across the globe owing to its excellent therapeutic properties. Camel milk contains enzymes with anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that help fight diseases and an insulin-like substance that reduces blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Hence, camel milk has been widely adopted in the pharmaceutical industry across the globe.

Camel milk has excellent therapeutic potential and is widely used in preparing supplements in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the absence of β-lactoglobulin has made it an excellent compound for antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial supplements. Camel milk has proven to be highly efficient in improving long-term glycemic control in the body, which helps diabetic patients.

In various studies, camel milk showed excellent results in treating cancer, autism, and hepatitis. Moreover, it is the best alternative to cow milk and safe for children who suffer from bovine milk allergy. These exceptional therapeutic properties in camel milk and its derived products fuel its application in the pharmaceutical industry.

Global Camel Milk Products Market Restraint:

Expensive and Labor-Intensive Production

The production of camel milk is very time-consuming and labor-intensive, creating a massive demand-supply gap, which leads to higher product prices. Strict medical examinations are performed on each camel to rule out infectious diseases. The camels are then trained in a milking parlor after that. A camel's calm and relaxation during milking is essential to the process of producing milk. These processes add to significant production costs, a major restraint for the camel milk market.

In addition, the milking capacity of camels is much less than that of cows. On average, a camel can give up to 7 liters of milk daily, while cows can give up to 50 liters daily. Unlike the regular dairy industry, where male calves are often killed and disposed of, in the case of camels, to milk a camel, it is essential to keep young camels and lactating camels near to produce a good amount of milk. This results in higher feeding costs as two animals must be kept healthy and well-fed to produce just seven liters of milk daily. These factors also hamper the camel milk market.

Global Camel Milk Products Market Opportunities:

Investments in Camel Milk Products and Entry of Established Players

Major players in the dairy industry are heavily investing in camel milk product ventures after witnessing a surge in demand for camel milk products in domestic and global markets. For instance, in October 2020, The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), the largest dairy cooperative in India, announced the launch of its new line of ultra-high temperature (UHT) treated camel milk in PET bottles and camel milk powder under the brand "Amul" in India.

Additionally, the entry of well-known companies into the market raises consumer awareness of the product and increases demand for goods made from camel milk. The camel milk products market has excellent growth opportunities, as there are not many players in the domestic market, and only a few players are operating in the global market, such as "Camelicious."

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Region-wise, the global camel milk products market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global camel milk products market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. Camel milk and its products are traditionally consumed in many countries in the region, including India, China, and Australia. All these countries have a large desert area where herders and tribal people have been consuming camel milk for a long time. With its excellent nutritional properties and potential therapeutic effects, key dairy players in all these countries promote camel milk products. According to the report' Camel Milk Market Assessment' by the Australian government, the production of camel milk is anticipated to witness a significant growth rate from 2018 to 2024. These market trends are projected to boost the demand for camel milk in the region over the forecast period.

North America is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. Camel milk is the next big nutritional trend in North America. Consumers across the region are adopting camel milk and its products owing to its excellent nutritional properties, such as ten times more vitamin C and iron than bovine milk and no β-lactoglobulin. According to a report published by The Lancet in October 2017, an estimated 36% of Americans over 10 are lactose-intolerant, making them unable to digest dairy milk and associated products. Although dairy substitutes, such as plant-based milk, are available in the North American market, most lack nutritional elements such as vitamin D and B. Hence, camel milk products are the best alternative for bovine milk products in the regional market.

Europe is the third largest region. Most consumers buy camel milk products from popular hypermarkets and supermarkets, such as Tesco, Auchan, Carrefour, and Monoprix. However, in recent years, the increasing trend of online shopping owing to its convenience and home delivery options has influenced several hypermarkets to deliver groceries and other products to consumers' homes. Moreover, key players collaborate with companies within and outside the industry to capture a greater market share. For instance, in July 2020, Carrefour announced a successful collaboration with Uber Eats in France and Belgium for home delivery services. Such market trends are expected to boost the sale of camel milk products over the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global camel milk products market has been segmented based on product and distribution channels. 

Based on product, the global camel milk products market is segmented into plain milk, powder, ice cream, flavored milk, fermented, and others. 

The plain milk segment dominates the global market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. Increasing lactose intolerance and milk allergies associated with other types of milk drive the demand for camel milk. It is also rich in nutrients like vitamin C, B, potassium, calcium, and iron, and thus encourages health-conscious consumers to switch to camel milk. Moreover, the easy availability of plain milk compared to other camel milk products such as cheese, yogurt, and butter is also expected to drive its demand. Various studies have reported that individuals allergic to cow's milk can opt for camel's milk due to its absence of beta-lacto globulin, which is the main cause of milk allergy. Camel milk is also known to provide health benefits like lowering blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity.

Camel milk is dehydrated into powder form to extend its shelf life. It is processed by freeze-dry technology that ensures that all the minerals and nutrients of milk are intact in powdered form. It is often consumed by consumers who have gastrointestinal and gut health issues. Due to its health benefits, the rising application of camel milk powder in products such as smoothies and ice creams is estimated to boost the demand. Camel milk powder is gluten-free and lacks all types of lactose; hence, it is suitable for lactose-intolerant consumers. Camel colostrum powder is one of the most prescribed milk for newborn babies as it is a substitute for breast milk. Rising awareness about the nutritional benefits of powdered camel milk is likely to drive its demand in the coming years.

Based on distribution channels, the global camel milk products market is divided into online and offline. 

The offline segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The offline channel includes hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, and other local stores. Supermarkets/hypermarkets held the largest segment share in the offline distribution channel due to the availability of various products at attractive discounts. Convenience and discounted pricing encourage consumers to buy products through offline distribution channels. Brands collaborate with hypermarkets to display their products in a manner that attracts customers. Cafes also play an important role in the offline distribution of camel milk products, especially in Middle Eastern countries. For instance, Cafe2Go outlets are responsible for major volumes of sales of camel milk products in Dubai. Similarly, Al Nassma and Camellos have opened multiple regional outlets and are further expanding.

The shift in millennials' buying habits is one of the main factors driving camel milk product sales through online channels. Customers have been drawn in large numbers to choose the Internet channel because of its benefits, such as shopping from the convenience of one's home, doorstep delivery, free shipping, simple return policies, subscription services, and discounts. For instance, through online distribution, Carrefour provides the widest range of quality products to its diversified customer base in more than 16 countries. Similarly, some manufacturers offer their products through third-party retailers such as Amazon, Bigbasket, and Milkbasket, while others opt for the D2C channel. For instance, companies like Aadvik Foods and Camelicious offer their products through the D2C channel, wherein consumers get discounts and cashback for their purchases, which is expected to drive the growth of this segment.

Recent Developments

• March 2023 - Camel Milk Co Australia launched camel milk freeze-dried powder with a resealable stand-up pouch. The powder is made from 100% Camel Milk. This FREEZE DRIED powder undergoes a very different process from Hot Spray Drying. Small amounts of pasteurized camel milk are frozen on trays and placed under vacuum. Due to the vacuum, the ice will evaporate immediately without turning back to the water, which guarantees that most of the taste, texture, and nutrients will stay intact. Powdered milk has the added benefit of an extended shelf life compared to fresh milk.
• December 2022 - Amul expanded its camel dairy product range with camel milk ice cream and camel powder launch. Amul claims that camel milk is the only ingredient in its newest camel milk ice cream. It offers ice cream with a distinctive camel milk flavor and is free of flavorings and colorings.