Qatar has come a long way in terms of food security. Previously relying on imported dairy brands, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in dairy production and even managed to exceed its targets with 109% in 2019 and 117% in 2020. Today, we enjoy an assortment of dairy products to choose from. So we rounded up some of the five dairy brands you can find in the country that is 100% Made in Qatar. Let's support local!
When Baladna started in 2014, it was a sheep and goat farm but the largest in the Middle East. Soon after the blockade, it gained popularity for airlifting 4,000 milking cows from the USA and Europe. The company built barns and milk rotary parlor. Now, it's one of the largest cattle farms in the region with more than 20,000 Holstein cows and one of Qatar's largest locally owned dairy companies with over 200 products.
The public can visit Baladna Farm, located in Al Khor, which houses a restaurant, petting zoo, children's play area and garden. The rotary milking parlor which is open for viewing can take up to 100 cows per rotation.
NOTE: Baladna Farm and Park are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please follow Baladna Park on Facebook for updates.
Since 2017, the Arab Qatari Company for Dairy Production (Ghadeer) has been a 100% Qatari company. It was established in 1986 as a joint venture between the state of Qatar, the Arab Co for livestock Development and Gulf Investment Corporation as the first fully integrated agriculture and livestock project, according to its website.
It's the "first pioneer cow farm in Qatar with a capacity of about 2,000 Holstein cows." Ghadeer's dairy plant capacity is over 200 tons daily. Recently, they also released Non-Dairy Milk in coconut and almond flavors.
In 1979, Ghanem Al Thani Holdings (GATH) was incorporated with H.E. Sheikh Ghanem Bin Ali Al-Thani as its chairman. Part of GATH is Al Rawdah Dairy & Juice Products which produces the Al Maha Dairy brand. The company's dairy farm has more than 4,000 Holstein Friesian cows imported from Holland, U.S.A, Australia and South Africa, as well as a 45,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art production plant, according to its website. The company also offers packaged fruit juices.
Dandy Company Limited started in 1973 as Gulf Danish Dairy & Williams with a modest factory. In 1998, the company's name was changed to Dandy, "to make it more memorable", according to the company's website. After the blockade, it relaunched its products with a new look and modern packaging formats. Aside from its variety of dairy products, the company is also known for its ice cream and beverage products.
Raw'a is produced by the Gulf Food Production company, part of the MJK group. The 100% Qatari group was established in 1968 and the Gulf Food Production company was established in 2015. Aside from milk and dairy products, the company also produces juices for the local market.
Other local dairy brands include Alwajba Dairy and Mazzraty's Fresh Milk.
Have you tried any of these products? Which is your favorite Made in Qatar dairy brand? Let us know in the comments!
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