Camel dairy

Last updated 30 July 2020

Camels lining up to be milked

An increasing number of camels caught in the wild are being diverted to camel dairies, an expanding industry that promotes itself as a healthier alternative to cows’ milk products and a less wasteful alternative to aerial culling. Many camel dairies promote themselves as a sanctuary for camels, saving them from slaughter in the wild. However, it is commonplace for camel dairies to send their bulls (males) to slaughter due to their lack of economic viability, given they cannot produce milk. In 2016 it was estimated that Australia produces roughly 50,000 litres of camel milk, and the industry’s gross value is estimated to be $800,000 per annum1.

To learn more about how camels are exploited in Australia head to the camel knowledgebase.