Kazakhstan may export camels to the UAE

Producers of camel milk in the UAE seek to import camels from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kenya, Regnum.ru reported. The milk producers consider increasing camel imports given the current prospects of obtaining permits to export camel milk to the EU. However, the current production output of 5 000 tons a year barely meets the domestic demand. According to The National, the problem, producers say, is that while the camels are fast on their feet, they do not produce nearly as much milk as cattle. An Arabian camel makes eight litres a day, while other breeds yield up to twice as much. Therefore, Ulrich Wernery, the scientific director of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, plans to visit Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kenya, where he will buy stock to bring back. According to The National, The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates the world market for camel milk at US$10 billion (Dh36.7bn), with hundreds of millions of potential customers. The population of camels in Kazakhstan stands at 135 000, Kazakh Zerno reported. Last year camel milk production output totaled 10 000 tons. Due to recent research into the milk it has begun to gain acceptance outside of traditional communities as a health tonic and a medicine. Claims attached to the medicinal benefits of camel milk include treating diabetes, autism, Crohn's disease tuberculosis, cholera, diarrhea, food allergies, cancer, hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) certain antibodies in camel's milk can help fight diseases like cancer, HIV/Aids, Alzheimer's and hepatitis C.