Pasteurised Camel Milk Standard: UAE-led Codex Move To Set First International Benchmark

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has agreed to start work on the first international standard for pasteurised camel milk after approving a proposal from the United Arab Emirates during its 48th session in Rome. The step places a regional product in a formal global framework and is viewed as strengthening food safety rules, trade conditions and consumer protection for camel milk worldwide.

Codex members and observer organisations, including the International Union of Food Science and Technology, gave strong backing to the UAE proposal. Codex records note that the lack of a unified reference standard has limited commercial growth and created space for fraud, including cases where camel milk powder is mixed with bovine milk powder. The new standard aims to confirm product identity, protect buyers and support fair competition.

Analysts estimate that the global camel milk market reached about $1.369 billion in 2024 and could increase to $1.934 billion by 2033. This forecast reflects a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate of 3.9%. Current data show that the Middle East and North Africa supply 40% of worldwide output, ahead of Asia-Pacific at 30%, Europe at 18% and North America at 12%.

Sector figures also show that the UAE produces more than 7,000 tonnes of pasteurised camel milk each year. This volume covers domestic needs and supports exports to high-regulation destinations, including the European Union, China and the United States. Officials expect that a shared international standard will align quality demands, reassure consumers in these markets and open additional export channels for producers.

The UAE first introduced the idea of a dedicated camel milk standard at the 47th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 2024. The draft then went through detailed scrutiny by the Codex Executive Committee and a technical gap analysis prepared by New Zealand and the International Dairy Federation. After broad support from member countries, the standard moved forward to formal adoption at the 48th session in Rome.

Officials in the UAE describe the Codex decision as the product of several years of planning rather than a single meeting. A turning point came in September 2024, when the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority hosted the International Forum for the Development of the Camel Milk Sector. International organisations and experts attended and discussed the UAE draft, providing scientific evidence and institutional feedback that strengthened the proposal before submission to Codex.

Impact of pasteurised camel milk international standard on food security

The upcoming international standard for pasteurised camel milk is expected to unify quality rules and support safe production practices. These measures are designed to build trust in traded products and ease cross-border transactions for a commodity seeing growing demand. The framework is also intended to help producers in developing countries raise processing standards, improve food security and gain access to higher value markets.

Officials state that the standard should provide direct benefits for local camel breeders by supporting stable demand and clearer trade conditions. The initiative also aligns with wider programmes led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, which aim to reduce hunger and poverty, advance women’s economic participation and encourage responsible use of natural resources and ecosystems linked to livestock production.

Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi, Chair of the National Codex Committee and Head of the UAE delegation, stated: "The adoption of the international standard for pasteurised camel milk is a strategic step that reaffirms the UAE’s leadership in driving the global food standards ecosystem toward high-value products. This achievement bolsters the nation’s presence on the global food innovation agenda and supports the development of criteria that facilitate international trade while protecting consumers worldwide." She added: "This initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision to support local production chains and enhance the economic and nutritional value of camel milk. It also reflects our success in leading regional and international cooperation within Codex and opens new horizons for local and regional producers to access global markets, supporting food‑security and sustainable‑development objectives."

Al Muhairi indicated that the Codex approval marks the culmination of a long-term UAE strategy to raise the profile of pasteurised camel milk. Officials argue that the new standard strengthens the country’s role in international food rule-making, while also giving producers across the region clearer technical guidance and a more predictable trading environment as demand continues to grow.

With inputs from WAM