Workshop on Establishing the Mongolian Camel Milk Cluster Held in Ulaanbaatar

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA – A workshop titled “Mongolian Camel Milk Cluster – New Organization for Effective Cooperation and Export Promotion” was convened on April 18, 2024, at the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event was organized by Dairy Asia with the cooperation of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the EU-funded “International Trade Development” project, in observance of the International Year of Camelids.

The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, academic and research institutions, industry associations, and private sector enterprises including the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry of Mongolia, the Dairy Asia secretariat office, the FAO office in Mongolia, the National Center for Livestock Gene Bank of Mongolia, the EU-funded project unit, Mongol Bactrian association, National Association of Mongolian Agricultural cooperatives, Mongolian Casein Association, National Dairy Development Board of Mongolia, Mongolian Export Clusters Network, Technological Incubator, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, affiliated Institutes, Institute of Technology, “Suu” SC, “TESO group” LLC, “Solid partners” LLC, “Ingen Tagsh” LLC, “Western Mongolia” LLC and other knowledge partners.

The opening remarks were delivered by Ms. O. Onon, Head of the Division for Trade and Food Service at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, and Mr. K. Carl, a Senior Expert from the “International Trade Development” project.

Under the moderation of Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO and Coordinator of the Dairy Asia Secretariat, the agenda featured the following presentations:

• Mr. Carl E. Krug, Key Expert of the EU-funded ITDM project, outlined the project’s purpose and its activities to support camel milk exports, particularly to the European market.

• Ms. G. Nyamjargal, Assistant Representative of FAO in Mongolia, presented on project activities aimed at improving the camel milk value chain in Umnugobi province.

• Ms. B. Khishigbayar, CEO of “Ingen Erdene” LOE, reported on the progress of a comprehensive camel milk factory and dairy farm project in Bayankhongor province, including the factory’s launch and experimental operation.

• Mr. B. Amarbayasgalan, Head of Department at “Suu” SC, shared insights from a camel milk collection experiment conducted in Gobi-Altai province.

• Mr. S. Erdenebayar, Director of the Investment Department at “TESO group” LLC, provided an update on the progress of the export-oriented TESO project and its next steps.

• Mr. Batbaatar Bayarmagnai, CEO of Dairy Asia, presented the formal proposal for the Mongolian Camel Milk Cluster, detailing its purpose, goals, structure, and organizational plan.

A key outcome of the workshop was a consensus among participants to establish the Mongolian Camel Milk Cluster. The cluster is intended to focus on enhancing the sector’s overall competitiveness through improved pasture management, camel health and breeding, milk supply chain efficiency, value-added product development, and capacity building for herders. It will also prioritize domestic and international marketing and branding.

Furthermore, the cluster will serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, technological advancement, standardization, and fostering sustainable partnerships across the industry. Participants also emphasized the importance of protecting Bactrian camel genetics, creating production incentives for herders, and improving livelihoods within the camel husbandry sector.

To advance this initiative, a working group was formed to review and develop the cluster’s charter, strategic framework, and other foundational documents. The group includes representatives from the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry, Dairy Asia, FAO, the Mongol Bactrian Association, the Mongolian University of Life Sciences, the Institute of Technology, several key private companies, and a representative from the camel herding community.