The aim of the CAMELMILK project is to strengthen the competitiveness, growth and interaction of the actors of the camel milk value-chain in the Mediterranean basin, including producers, processors, distributors and consumers.
Summary
Camel play a significant role in the lifestyle of many communities in different countries of the Mediterranean basin being an important source of milk, meat and transport in areas living under harsh conditions. Camel milk has traditionally been used for its medicinal values in rural regions, however, its special nutritional properties (rich source of bioactive, antimicrobial and antioxidant substances, no allergic respond, support diabetic treatment, etc.) has led to a recent growing demand of urban population.
CAMELMILK is focused to promote the production, processing and consumption of camel milk and camel dairy products in the Mediterranean area. The objective is to empower smallholder and small SMEs of the camel milk sector with the required tools to ensure an increase of competitiveness, company growth and job creation at both shores of the Mediterranean.
Specific objectives
- Improve and bring existing camel milk production systems in Algeria and Turkey closer to EU standards to increase efficiency, quality and safety and setting the bases for a short-future exportation to EU.
- Adapt processing technologies to camel milk technological properties to produce pasteurized camel milk, fermented dairy products and different types of cheese.
- Improve the camel milk value-chain to allow the smallholders and small SMEs involved in the project to occupy a new market niche with a high potential in the coming years.
- Define the most convenient business models and market strategies for each industrial partner involved in the project.
- Achieve a successful market implementation to support market uptake of the developed products.
- Determine consumers acceptance, knowledge and willingness to consume/pay for camel milk products.
CAMELMILK is a three years project (2019-2022) with fourteen partners involved (research centre, universities and companies) of seven different countries in the Mediterranean basin.
