Kazakhstan approves camel milk standard to boost exports to China and Middle East

Kazakhstan has officially approved a new national standard for pasteurized camel milk, marking a strategic shift designed to help domestic producers break into lucrative foreign markets including China and the Middle East, according to reporting by Qazinform. The regulatory upgrade arrives as part of broader efforts across the nation's agricultural networks to diversify exports, following similar successful adaptations for dried kumys and horse meat.

The formal framework, designated as standard ST RK 4050-2026 and titled "Camel Milk Pasteurized. Technical Specifications," was officially sanctioned via an order issued by the Chairman of the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology of the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan, as detailed by Memleket. The document was approved under Order No. 41-NQ and Order No. 41-NҚ on September 11, 2026. While Kazakhstan has long maintained a standard for saumal (fresh mare's milk), this new protocol specifically targets pasteurized camel milk following scientific research conducted under the National Standardization Plan for 2026.

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Alexander Razzarenov, deputy director general of the Kazakh Institute of Standardization and Metrology (KazStandard), explained during a Central Communications Service briefing that laboratory tests confirmed domestic camel milk products outperform comparable products from trading partners in terms of quality. Because of these findings, the new standard introduces stricter quality requirements, which are expected to strengthen the competitiveness of Kazakh producers in international markets. The document itself was developed by KazStandard, with Antigen Research and Production Company LLP (also cited as Scientific-Production Company "Antigen") acting as the applicant entity.

Camel milk is widely used in Kazakhstan to produce traditional fermented beverages such as shubat and kymyran. According to ministry statements covered by Dairynews, global interest in camel milk has grown over the past 15–20 years alongside an expanding range of derivative goods. Pasteurized camel milk is utilized in the production of ice cream, confiture or fruit preserves, jams, and coffee-based drinks, including the popular “camelccino,” a camel-milk version of cappuccino. Regional initiatives are already active across the country, encompassing dry camel milk powder production launched in the Kyzylorda Region, ice cream manufacturing in the Almaty Region, and hypoallergenic A2 milk production without beta-casein A1 protein introduced in the Pavlodar Region.

The new standard establishes comprehensive requirements for product quality and safety, common terminology, product classifications, indicators for assessing product characteristics, labelling, packaging, transportation, and storage conditions. These transparent rules are intended to build international consumer trust while helping local companies expand their product offerings across domestic shelves and lucrative external trade corridors, increasing the global recognition of Kazakhstan's camel milk products.

Prospective export destinations highlighted by trade officials encompass the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, China, and Middle Eastern states. Industry participants are also eyeing international gatherings to foster commercial ties, such as the upcoming dairy congress scheduled in Al Ain, UAE, which serves as a key meeting point for dairy industry leaders, producers, investors, experts, and technology providers from across the MENA region and beyond.

What to Watch Next

• November 1: The official enforcement date when standard ST RK 4050-2026 takes full legal effect across Kazakhstan's dairy sector.
• January 24–25: The 2nd MENA Dairy Congress in Al Ain, UAE, where industry leaders and investors will discuss regional market integration, new business connections, and the future of the dairy industry.