site.btaDonkey Milk Is among the Highlights of Dobrich Farmers Market

Donkey milk is among the highlights of the farmers market in the northeastern town of Dobrich on April 14. It is available at 60 leva per litre, which is a whooping price compared to that of the mass-produced cow's milk of less than 3 leva/l.

Donkeys don't produce much milk, the owner of the Mageri Milk donkey farm, Gergana Stoeva, told BTA.  A female donkey can be milked two months after giving birth and produces 0.5 to 1.5 liters per day for four to five months. Also, the milking is done by hand.

"It is an expensive product, sold in some regions at a price of 100 leva per litre, because it is difficult to obtain," Stoeva said.

She explained that the milk is considered an immunomodulator and an elixir for longevity. It is known for its unique composition with over 300 beneficial components for the human body. Its high content of immunoglobulins give it strong antiviral and antibacterial qualities. It is known to relieve cough, asthma, gastrointestinal conditions and allergies, says Stoeva.

The Mageri Milk farm is situated in the village of Zhelyava near Sofia. Gergana Stoeva bought the first couple of animals in 2020 and their number has since grown to 48. A year after she started the farm, she placed third in a national competition for young farmers. The animals in her farm come from all over Bulgaria and even Romania. Her plan is to increase their number to 100.

The donkeys in the farm graze on tens of hectares of pastures near the farm.

The farm has a joint product with the Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technology in Sofia: powdered milk. A package containing 100 grams of powdered donkey milk is sold at the price of 75 leva and can produce one litre of milk. In partnership with the ALPI candy factory, the farm has developed the first-ever donkey milk candy.