In line with this, Al Ain Dairy – the first established dairy farm in the UAE, and a leading producer of dairy products – has become one of the few dairy farms in the region to fully depend on its own herds of cows after it has launched a project, among its many activities, to minimise importing and boost local cow breeding with aims to increase milk production and further strengthen its leading position in the highly competitive market.
The dairy industry is still expanding despite the global economic slowdown. With the existence of many dairy producers and the increase of competition level, the quality is increasing and the expenditure on the industry in terms of machinery, farms, labs, personnel and production is boosting.
Al Ain has established and equipped three farms to accommodate the first batch of cows, which, in three years, have enriched Al Ain’s stock with more than 3,000 milk-producing cows that are currently supplying the country’s various outlets with raw milk products.
Despite the current 26 operating cattle farms in the country – which contain 15,000 cows producing 167,000 tonnes of fresh milk annually – the local market’s needs are still being covered by imported products.
Highlighting the huge demand for dairy products in the UAE, the local market faces an essential need to expand, according to recent studies. It’s recommended that the dairy industry research and develop new and differentiated products designed to meet specific needs and tastes of the local consumers, as imports don’t completely satisfy this demand.
Commenting on the subject, Abdullah Al Darmaki, CEO of Al Ain Dairy, said: “The decision to grow our own cattle has derived from Al Ain Dairy’s vision to be recognised as the preferred choice of dairy products for all customers, and to become a self-sufficient plant that provides 100% locally manufactured products.
“Among the many fears that have erupted following the spread of diseases among cattle, we have opted to grow our own herds following high levels of safety standards, and with constant health inspections.”
Cows have a nine-month gestation period after which they give birth and start producing milk, where each cow can produce up to 10,000 litres a year. The original cows were imported from Australia, yet Al Ain Dairy no longer imports, as the farm is now able to breed enough replacements on its own. Each farm has its own vet and helper to look after the cows, where cows are constantly diagnosed and treated.
Source: AmeInfo
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024