Less than a year after its establishment, the Dubai-based first camel milk chocolate company is now ready to invade global markets with a new flavor to the worlds most popular sweet. In October 2009, Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum established al-Nassma which, in partnership Austrian chocolate manufacturer Manner, aiming at producing 100 tons of the new product.

The worlds first camel chocolate will be exported to Arab countries as well as Europe, the United States and Japan. The company is planning to sell its products at Londons Harrods. Al-Nassma is currently selling its products in the store attached to its farm, which houses 3,000 camels, as well as in luxury hotels and private airlines. Online shopping of al-Nassma chocolates will be launched within a month.

The Gulf is the best place to launch camel milk chocolate since it is home to the best camel breeds and camel milk is part of its diet due to its numerous benefits, said Martin Van Almsick, al-Nessma general manager and former manager of the chocolate museum in Cologne, Germany. Camel milk is healthier than cow milk, he told Al Arabiya. It contains five times more vitamin C, less fat, less lactose and more insulin. This makes it perfect for people with diabetes and lactose intolerance. Since al-Nassma chocolate is a luxury product, Van Almsick added, it will not be sold in supermarkets, but one mall in each UAE city will have an outlet.

We aim to be the Godiva of the Middle East. No preservatives or chemical additives. Van Almsick, who is a world renowned confectionary and chocolate expert, pointed out that the new camel milk chocolate does not contain preservatives or chemical additives. It is basically made of local spices, nuts, and honey. This makes its expiry date a bit different from other products. The expiry date depends on the ingredients. For example, the plain bar lasts for nine months while the stuffed one expires after six months.

Nutrition experts argue the sale of cocoa in emerging markets helps in boosting confectionary markets at the time of economic slowdown. While sales in chocolate producing and traditional chocolate loving countries dropped, they added, a remarkable rise in chocolate consumption is seen in the Middle East and Asia. According to ACNielsen Retail Audit, the UAE chocolate market is estimated at Dhs 546 million ($148 million) with a growth rate of 27% by value and 14% by volume. A recent survey conducted in the UAE also revealed that 98% of the people, who took part in the survey, eat chocolate at least once a week.