Women-led camel milk startup rises in south Tunisia

In Tunisia’s arid south, camel milk is emerging as a high-value product with economic and health potential. According to AFP, 32-year-old entrepreneur Latifa Frifita launched the country’s first camel milk pasteurisation unit in Médenine, backed by biochemist Amel Sboui’s patented method that preserves the milk’s benefits and extends shelf life. Camel milk, rich in iron and non-allergenic, has shown promise in reducing diabetes medication needs in clinical trials.

Frifita’s company, ChameLait, now produces 500 litres weekly, with plans to double output. Working with local herders, she is introducing mechanised milking to boost yields and promote milk sales over meat. Retail prices reach $4 per litre, double what herders earn, supporting a nascent supply chain.

The initiative is supported by Tunisia’s Institute of Arid Regions, which sees it as a model for job creation and local investment. A major camel milk collection center is set to open in late 2025.