The dairy industry is an important part of the United Arab Emirates’ food-security system. Despite high temperatures, limited rainfall and dependence on imported animal feed, the country has developed some of the Middle East’s most advanced dairy operations.
Leading UAE dairy farms use climate-controlled barns, automated milking parlours, precision feeding systems, veterinary monitoring and refrigerated distribution networks to produce fresh milk throughout the year. Some businesses manage the entire supply chain, from cattle breeding and feed preparation to milk processing, packaging and supermarket delivery.
The industry is also becoming more specialised. Alongside conventional cow’s milk, UAE farms produce organic milk, A2A2 milk, camel milk, yoghurt, laban, cheese and other value-added products. Recent investments in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain demonstrate the country’s continued commitment to increasing local agricultural production.
This guide examines some of the best dairy farms operating in the UAE. The farms are not listed in a strict ranking because each has different strengths. Some are major consumer brands, while others concentrate on raw-milk supply, organic production or camel dairy farming.
The Dairy Farming Industry in the UAE
Operating a dairy farm in the UAE is considerably different from running one in a temperate agricultural region. Dairy cattle perform best within a relatively narrow temperature range. Prolonged heat can reduce feed intake, fertility and milk production while increasing the risk of health problems.
Modern UAE farms manage these challenges through systems such as:
- High-capacity fans
- Evaporative cooling
- Water misting
- Shaded barns
- Automated drinking systems
- Temperature monitoring
- Carefully formulated feed
- Veterinary herd-management programmes
- Insulated milk-storage tanks
- Refrigerated transportation
Feed is another major consideration. Dairy cows require balanced rations containing energy, protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins. Because natural pasture is limited, commercial farms generally depend on imported forage, locally manufactured animal feed and precisely mixed rations.
Successful dairy production therefore requires more than owning a large herd. Farms must coordinate breeding, nutrition, animal welfare, milking, processing, food safety and cold-chain distribution.
The Best Dairy Farms in the UAE
The following farms and dairy companies have significant production operations, established consumer brands or specialised dairy programmes within the UAE.
Al Ain Farms
Al Ain Farms is one of the most established agricultural companies in the UAE. Founded in 1981 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, it was the country’s first integrated dairy and poultry company.
The business began with a milk-processing plant and approximately 200 imported Friesian cows. It expanded its cattle herd and opened additional farms during the following years. Today, the company operates across dairy, juice, camel milk and poultry production.
Dairy farming operations
Al Ain Farms uses modern technology for feeding, milking and milk processing. Its integrated structure allows the company to manage production from the farm through to processing and market distribution.
The company’s dairy range includes fresh milk, long-life milk, laban, yoghurt and other refrigerated products. Its products are manufactured locally and distributed throughout the UAE.
Al Ain Farms also operates a substantial camel dairy division. The company says it has farmed camels since 2001 and maintains approximately 1,800 camels, making camel milk an important part of its agricultural portfolio.
What makes Al Ain Farms stand out
Its main advantage is experience. Few UAE dairy businesses have operated for as long or developed such a diversified agricultural structure.
The company is particularly relevant to:
- Supermarkets and retailers
- Hotels and restaurants
- Food-service distributors
- Institutional buyers
- Businesses sourcing cow and camel milk products
- Agricultural organisations seeking an established local partner
Al Rawabi Dairy Company
Al Rawabi Dairy Company is one of the UAE’s largest and most recognisable dairy producers. It began operations in 1989 at Al Khawaneej in Dubai with 500 imported cows.
The company’s official pages report a herd exceeding 14,000 cattle, while its farm page gives a figure of more than 16,500 cows across approximately 300 acres. Herd numbers naturally change over time as calves are born and animals enter or leave production.
Integrated production in Dubai
Al Rawabi operates its farm and dairy-processing facilities around the clock. The company states that it serves more than one million customers per day across its market network.
Large-scale milk production in Dubai requires extensive cooling, feeding and animal-health management. The company has invested in modern dairy housing, total mixed-ration feeding and production infrastructure as its herd has expanded.
Al Rawabi introduced a Total Mixed Ration project in 2000 to optimise cattle feeding. Under this approach, forage, grains, minerals and other ingredients are blended to provide a consistent ration rather than being fed separately.
Products and market reach
Al Rawabi’s portfolio includes:
- Fresh milk
- Flavoured milk
- Laban
- Yoghurt
- Juices
- Functional dairy drinks
- Cheese and cream products
- Other fresh foods
The company’s location near Dubai gives it strong access to one of the UAE’s largest consumer and hospitality markets.
Al Rawabi may be particularly suitable for:
- Major retail chains
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Catering companies
- Schools and institutions
- High-volume food-service customers
The farm also offers educational visits for schools, organisations and families, allowing visitors to observe calves, milking and dairy-processing activities.
National Dairy Farm and Masaken Dairy Farm
National Dairy Farm and Masaken Dairy Farm operate under Emirates Food Industries, an Abu Dhabi-based group active in agriculture, animal feed, dairy processing and distribution.
The two farms are located in Al Ain and concentrate on large-scale raw-milk production. Together, they maintain a herd of approximately 5,000 cattle and produce around 30 million litres of milk annually, according to Emirates Food Industries.
Specialised raw-milk production
Unlike highly visible consumer-facing brands, National Dairy Farm and Masaken Dairy Farm primarily support the industry by supplying raw milk to dairy processors.
This business model allows the farms to concentrate on:
- Herd productivity
- Milk quality
- Breeding and replacement animals
- Feed management
- Veterinary care
- Reliable bulk supply
- Farm-level production efficiency
The farms supply some of the region’s major dairy companies. Their scale makes them important contributors to domestic milk production and the wider UAE food-manufacturing sector.
Integration with animal feed
Emirates Food Industries also has interests in animal-feed production. This connection is valuable because feed quality directly influences milk output, reproductive performance, cattle health and the cost of dairy farming.
National Dairy Farm and Masaken Dairy Farm are especially relevant to:
- Dairy-processing companies
- Bulk milk purchasers
- Food manufacturers
- Agricultural investors
- Institutional food-security programmes
- Businesses studying specialised farm-supply models
Mleiha Dairy Farm
Mleiha Dairy Farm is one of the UAE’s most significant recent agricultural projects. Located in Sharjah, the farm was inaugurated in April 2024, while its dairy factory began operating in 2025.
Sharjah’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock describes Mleiha Dairy as the first farm in the Middle East to produce fully organic milk. The original development plan began with 1,200 cattle and targeted an eventual herd of approximately 8,000 cows.
A2A2 dairy genetics
Mleiha Dairy is distinguished by its focus on A2A2 cattle. In January 2026, the farm received recognition as the world’s largest A2A2 cow farm, with more than 6,400 cattle reported at the time.
A2A2 refers to the animal’s beta-casein genetics. Cows carrying two A2 variants produce milk containing A2 beta-casein rather than a combination of A1 and A2 beta-casein.
Creating a large A2A2 herd requires genetic testing and controlled breeding. The genetics of replacement animals must be carefully managed to preserve the intended milk characteristics.
Organic milk production
Mleiha’s organic positioning covers more than the final packaging. Organic production normally requires controls governing feed, animal treatment, farm inputs, traceability and processing.
By November 2025, the farm was producing approximately 16,000 litres of fresh organic milk per day, according to Sharjah’s Department of Agriculture and Livestock.
The Mleiha Dairy Factory covers approximately 20,000 square metres and forms part of Sharjah’s broader investment in local food production.
Mleiha Dairy is particularly important for:
- Organic-food retailers
- Buyers interested in A2A2 milk
- Agricultural researchers
- Food-security organisations
- Dairy genetics professionals
- Consumers seeking locally produced specialised milk
Marmum Dairy Farm
Marmum Dairy Farm is an established UAE dairy producer that entered the industry in 1984. It produces a broad range of fresh dairy and juice products for the local market.
Its product range includes:
- Fresh milk
- Laban
- Yoghurt
- Cheese
- Cream products
- Juices
Farm production and feeding
Marmum operates a commercial dairy herd supported by specialised feeding and milk-production systems. A 2020 report from agricultural-equipment manufacturer Trioliet described the farm as housing approximately 4,200 Holstein cows and producing around 52.5 million litres of milk annually at that time. Because these figures are several years old, current herd and production numbers should be confirmed directly with the company.
Holstein cattle are widely used in commercial dairy production because of their high milk-yield potential. In the UAE, however, achieving that potential depends heavily on cooling, nutrition and health management.
Marmum’s long history and varied product range make it relevant to:
- Retailers
- Food-service companies
- Hotels and restaurants
- Dairy distributors
- Buyers requiring locally produced fresh dairy products
Camelicious
Camelicious, operated by Emirates Industry for Camel Milk and Products, is a specialised camel dairy farm based in Dubai.
The company operates a purpose-built facility producing fresh camel milk, milk powder, ice cream and other camel-milk products. It describes its operation as the world’s largest and most advanced camel-milk production facility.
Large-scale camel dairy farming
Camel dairy farming differs substantially from cow dairy production. Camels mature more slowly, have longer gestation periods and generally produce less milk per animal than high-yielding commercial cattle.
A recent company publication reported that Camelicious maintains more than 6,000 camels. Its operations combine modern dairy technology with livestock practices adapted to the camel’s natural behaviour and cultural importance in the UAE.
Camelicious produces:
- Fresh camel milk
- Flavoured camel milk
- Camel milk powder
- Camel milk ice cream
- Functional and speciality products
The company also offers guided farm visits where guests can learn about camel feeding, care and milk production.
Camelicious is best suited to:
- Specialist retailers
- Export partners
- Hospitality businesses
- Health-focused food distributors
- Educational and tourism organisations
- Buyers interested in camel dairy products
Comparison of Leading Dairy Farms in the UAE
| Dairy farm | Location | Main specialisation |
|---|---|---|
| Al Ain Farms | Al Ain | Cow milk, camel milk and integrated agriculture |
| Al Rawabi Dairy | Dubai | Large-scale fresh cow’s milk and dairy processing |
| National and Masaken Dairy Farms | Al Ain | Bulk raw-milk production |
| Mleiha Dairy Farm | Sharjah | Organic A2A2 cow’s milk |
| Marmum Dairy Farm | Dubai | Fresh dairy products and juices |
| Camelicious | Dubai | Camel milk and speciality camel dairy products |
How to Choose a Dairy Farm or Supplier
Determine the product required
Buyers should first decide whether they need fresh cow’s milk, organic milk, A2A2 milk, camel milk or processed dairy products.
A hotel may require milk, cream, yoghurt and cheese from one supplier, while a manufacturer may need bulk raw milk with consistent fat and protein specifications.
Review food-safety standards
Commercial buyers should ask about:
- Milk-testing procedures
- Processing standards
- Product traceability
- Cold-chain controls
- Laboratory testing
- Hygiene certification
- Product recall procedures
- Delivery temperatures
A well-known brand name should not replace proper supplier assessment.
Consider production capacity
Large buyers require suppliers capable of maintaining dependable volumes throughout the year. The farm should demonstrate that its herd, processing plant and logistics network can meet agreed demand.
Evaluate freshness and distribution
Fresh dairy products require uninterrupted refrigeration. Buyers should examine delivery frequency, vehicle temperature control, storage practices and product shelf life.
Compare sustainability practices
Dairy production can require substantial quantities of water, electricity and feed. Farms are increasingly being evaluated according to manure management, water reuse, energy efficiency, packaging and food-waste reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the largest dairy farm in the UAE?
Several companies describe themselves as leading or among the largest, but the answer depends on whether size is measured by cattle numbers, land area, milk production or processing capacity. Al Rawabi reports more than 14,000 cattle, while Mleiha Dairy reported more than 6,400 A2A2 cows in early 2026.
Which UAE farm produces organic milk?
Mleiha Dairy Farm in Sharjah produces locally made organic milk and has developed a large A2A2 dairy herd.
Where is Al Rawabi Dairy Farm located?
Al Rawabi operates its dairy farm in Al Khawaneej, Dubai.
Does the UAE produce camel milk?
Yes. Al Ain Farms and Camelicious are major local producers of camel milk and related products.
Are dairy farms in the UAE climate controlled?
Large commercial farms commonly use fans, evaporative cooling, shaded housing and automated environmental systems to protect animals from high temperatures.
Conclusion
The UAE has created an advanced dairy industry despite challenging desert conditions. Al Ain Farms combines decades of experience with diversified cow, camel and poultry operations. Al Rawabi operates a major integrated dairy farm and processing network from Dubai, while National Dairy Farm and Masaken Dairy Farm provide large-scale raw-milk production in Al Ain.
Marmum remains an established local producer with a broad fresh-dairy portfolio. Mleiha Dairy represents the industry’s move toward specialised organic and A2A2 production, while Camelicious has positioned the UAE as an international centre for commercial camel milk.
The best dairy supplier ultimately depends on the buyer’s needs. Product type, production volume, certifications, delivery reliability and cold-chain performance should all be assessed before entering a commercial agreement.
Read Also: The Best Poultry Farms in the UAE
