CAMEL MILK VALUE CHAIN ASSESSMENT REPORT FINAL ...

I. BRIEF INTRODUCTION
1.1 Current camel milk production in Govi-Altai aimag
Govi-Altai aimag herders have long been raising camels in Mongolian Altai region and camel
milk has always been a main raw material of food anda source of income for local herders.
Table 1: Growth of camel population in Govi-Altai soums where camel milk is produced
and sold on the market
Soums 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Biger 1179 1271 1302 1339 1492
Haliun 2022 1993 2098 2301 2435
Tugrug 2130 2208 2324 2503 2729
Sharga 3160 3113 2998 3045 3273
Aimag 23800 24400 25000 26000 27300
According to the above table camel population has been steadily rising during the past few
years. Govi-Altai has 27 thousand camels and 7.5 thousand or 29.5% of all camels are cow
camels. 90% of all cow camels are being used for milk production.
Percentage of cow camels in Sharga gobi soums
Biger
5% Khaliun
9% Tugrug
12%
Other
soums
58%
Sharga
16%
The region with the highest density of camels in
the aimag and most favourable conditions for production and sales of camel milk is situated in
area of Sharga, Tugrug, Haliun and Biger soums. These soums are located relatively close to
the market (45-125 km from aimag center) and 42% of all cow camels are being raised here.
The herders from these soums have been raising camels in the area near Sharga, Tuhum,
Tungalag rivers, producing and selling a part of their camel milk in the aimag center and other
markets. Other soums have relatively small population of camels and are located far from
central markets. The camel herders from other soums produce and sell milk for soum center
residents and a few neigboring soums.
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