Sensory trial of camel milk powder among pastoralist communities of the Somali Region, Ethiopia

Background Camel milk is a vital source of nutrition for people living in many arid and semi-arid regions. Camel milk powder offers a valuable opportunity for the dairy industry to develop and launch innovative products in the milk and dairy market. Objective To evaluate the sensory preference of camel milk powder compared to fresh camel milk among pastoralist communities in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Methods A single-blinded sensory crossover study was conducted among randomly selected 248 pastoralist communities in the Somali Region. Data were collected using struc tured questionnaires. Participants did not know whether they tasted fresh milk or camel milk powder. The sequence was randomized, assigning either fresh/camel milk powder or powdered/fresh camel milk to each participant. Data was summa rized using mean, median, frequency, and percentage and was presented using charts and tables. Bi-variable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to identify variables associated with the outcome. Statistical associations were assessed using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, with significance declared at a P-value<0.05. A t-test was used to compare milk spending and milk liking levels between powdered and fresh camel milk. PLOS One | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0333358 October 30, 2025 2 / 13 Results In this study, 31% (95% CI: 25.5%–37.1%) preferred powdered milk among pastoral ists in the Somali Region. Factors significantly associated with preference of camel milk powder included being an urban pastoralist resident, AOR=2.02 (95% CI: 1.30, 3.16), and being female, AOR=1.94 (95% CI: 1.25, 3.01). There is no statistically significant mean difference between fresh camel milk and camel milk powder regard ing willingness to pay. Conclusion Although most preferred fresh milk, the mean rating of powder was still high. Pow dered milk might be a good alternative in settings where a cold chain is difficult to maintain and shelf life is an issue. Factors such as place of residence and sex of pastoralist significantly influence preference of powdered milk. There is no significant difference in willingness to pay between fresh camel milk and powdered camel milk. Focusing on nutritional advantages, safety, and convenience regarding camel milk powder is crucial for rural and male pastoralists’ adoption. Promotional efforts should be improved in accessibility and practicality without reducing cost. Introduction Camel milk is a vital food source that supplies energy and nutrients to rural commu nities living in the arid regions of Africa and the Middle East [1,2]. Camel milk is a vital food source that supplies energy and nutrients to rural communities. Additionally, camel milk improves livelihoods and supports economic development for commu nities living in the arid regions of Africa and the Middle East, both domestically and internationally [3]. Pastoralists in subsistence farming systems keep camels mostly for their milk. They are famous for continuing to produce milk in the face of drought. When milk from cows, lambs, and goats is in short supply during dry seasons and drought years, camels are a very dependable source of milk [4,5]. According to statistics on livestock, there are approximately 35.5 million camels worldwide, with the largest populations found in Somalia, Sudan, Niger, Kenya, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Mauritania, and Pakistan [3]. In Ethiopia alone, there are about 2.4 million camels, primarily located in the southern and eastern pastoral regions of the country [6,7]. Even though over 80% of the world’s camel population is found in Africa, with 60% residing in Eastern African countries, traditional camel milk producers create and consume the product locally, with the production process typically low-tech; this has subsequently created minimal global trade in camel milk [3]. Recent research found that camel milk, known for its genuine or alleged “medicinal” benefits, is moving beyond the margins, with global camel milk production having seen significant annual growth, surpassing 8% from 2009 to 2019, reflecting the increasing interest in this product [1,8]