Mleiha Dairy Farm as the world’s largest A2 cattle farm opens in Sharjah, Guiness Record

SHARJAH, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — In a major milestone for the Middle East’s sustainable milk production, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Farm and Factory.

The grand opening marks a massive achievement in milk self-sufficiency, transforming barren desert into a highly advanced, sustainable agricultural asset. The integrated production facility spanning 20,000 square meters has been launched with a production footprint of 600 tonnes of premium dairy products, delivering clean-label milk, yogurt and labneh to regional markets.

During the opening ceremony, the Ruler of Sharjah was awarded a formal Guinness World Record certificate crowning Mleiha Dairy Farm as the world’s largest A2 cattle farm.

Core Innovation: Global Capital of Rare A2 Genetics

The defining asset of the Mleiha infrastructure is its strict biological focus on rare, ancient cattle lines. The facility houses more than 6,400 Danish Holstein cows, all verified to possess the exclusive A2 genotype.

Biology of A2A2 Milk

Conventional mass-produced dairy contains a mix of A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins. During human digestion, the A1 protein breaks down into beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), a chemical compound frequently linked to gut inflammation, bloating, and lactose-intolerance symptoms.

By utilizing a herd with 100% pure A2 genetics, Mleiha’s milk naturally yields only the A2 beta-casein protein. This specific structural configuration prevents the release of BCM-7, offering 20 scientifically verified health benefits—including superior digestive ease, improved nutrient absorption, and lowered inflammatory risk markers.

To ensure absolute purity, the entire herd is raised under strict welfare conditions, fed entirely on organic, non-GMO silage, and managed without chemical processing aids or synthetic growth hormones.

Inside the State-of-the-Art Core Facility

The Mleiha factory floor blends strict ecological design with ultra-high-speed automation:

• The Circular Milking Parlor: Features a massive, automated rotary system running 80 synchronized milking platforms. The parlor can comfortably process 500 cows per hour, feeding a daily raw milk yield of approximately 100,000 liters

• High-Speed Processing Lines: The central factory floor runs unified digital control mechanisms capable of processing and packaging 4,500 units per hour of fresh milk, labneh, and premium traditional yogurt

• On-Site Feed Production: To insulate margins from volatile global grain commodities, the complex integrates automated silage processing lines that produce 50 tonnes of organic, specialized cow feed per hour

• Sustainable Operations: Automated environmental monitoring, solar-powered irrigation infrastructure, and integrated recycling systems allow the farm to operate with a minimal carbon footprint

“Health Over Profit”: Sharjah’s Integrated Food Security Strategy

During his address, Sheikh Dr. Sultan emphasized that Mleiha represents the realization of a personal 65-year vision built to prioritize public health and community safety above raw commercial profitability.

“We do not seek profit; rather, we seek health for the people. If we achieve self-sufficiency and produce healthy food, we will have accomplished a great deal for our country.” — H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah

Mleiha Dairy Complex Snapshot

AHI Opinion

Opening of Mleiha Dairy shows that commercial livestock production can thrive in challenging desert environments without compromising on environmental standards. By coupling automated processing systems with pure A2 genetics, Sharjah has established a new global benchmark for sustainable, health-first dairy production, securing its position as a primary innovator in Middle Eastern agritech and food security.