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EU approves exported camel milk for another year

The European Commission reapproved the export of camel milk from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to 27 member states of the economic block for 2021. As part of the agreement, the E.U. will require the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) to continue to provide its Camel Milk Residue Monitoring Plan, which it approved alongside the permission to export this dairy product.

In 2013, the UAE became the first country in the Middle East to export dairy products to the European Union through the Camelicious brand milk products produced by the Emirates Industry for Camel Milk & Products.

“With 4,500 tons produced annually, camel milk and its products are among the UAE’s signature foods… owing to Al Ain Farms and Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products (EICMP) – the manufacturer of the popular camel milk brand Camelicious, they are making inroads into regional and global markets,” Eng Saif Al Shara, acting assistant undersecretary for the food diversity sector at MOCCAE said in a statement.

Securing an extension of an export contract with the E.U. required that exporting manufacturers comply with the block’s import requirements as well as submit annual reports of residue percentages to the Commission.

“Enabling food products to compete in local and international markets is a priority that we aim to achieve in collaboration with our strategic partners from the public and private sectors,” Al Shara said.

Not only is the UAE pursuing an extended export contract with the European Union, but two of the country’s manufacturers, Al Ain Farms and EICMP, have also been approved for export to the U.S. and Canada. However, the MoCCAE does not intend to stop with Europe and North America. The governmental body is currently negotiating with Chinese authorities to gain approval to export UAE camel milk and camel milk-based products to China.