Nepal Elevates Beloved Chhurpi with New Quality Standards, Aiming for Global Dominance

Nepal’s culinary landscape is rich with unique traditions, and among its most cherished delicacies is chhurpi, a hard, fermented cheese savoured by Nepalis for generations. Traditionally crafted from yak, cow, or buffalo milk, sometimes in combination, and cut into bite-sized cubes, this artisanal cheese undergoes a transformation as it is consumed, gradually softening and developing a satisfying chewiness. In recent years, chhurpi has transcended its local appeal, particularly a version tailored for pets and commonly known as ‘dog chew’, experiencing a significant surge in export demand.

In the last fiscal year alone, Nepal exported an impressive Rs4.51 billion worth of chhurpi. The eastern hill districts of Ilam are the primary production hubs for this popular dog chew, with approximately 90 percent of the output destined for Western markets. The United States emerged as the largest importer, acquiring over 1,800 tonnes in the same period, followed closely by Canada, the United Kingdom, and other nations.

However, despite this burgeoning export success, Nepal historically lacked a defined quality standard for chhurpi. This absence posed a significant impediment to the product’s long-term growth potential within the increasingly competitive global marketplace. Fortunately, this gap has now been addressed. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has recently established comprehensive quality standards for traditional Nepali food products, with chhurpi being a prominent inclusion.

The Importance of Quality Standards in the Global Food Market

Establishing quality standards is a fundamental prerequisite for any food product seeking entry into either domestic or international markets. These standards serve as crucial safeguards, protecting both producers and consumers from potential health and safety risks. While Nepal holds the distinction of being a pioneer in chhurpi production, other Asian countries have since adopted similar practices. Therefore, ensuring the consistent quality of Nepali chhurpi is paramount to maintaining its competitive edge on the global stage. As exports continue to climb, the necessity for rigorous monitoring and verification of product quality has become more critical than ever to sustain the popularity chhurpi has rightfully earned.

Defining Excellence: Key Components of the New Chhurpi Standards

The newly introduced quality standards for chhurpi encompass a range of critical parameters designed to guarantee product safety, integrity, and appeal:

Edibility and Purity: Chhurpi must be fit for consumption, free from any signs of fungal growth or pest infestation. It should not undergo refining processes and must possess an appealing taste and aroma.
Contamination Prevention: Due to the manual production methods and traditional techniques employed, there is an inherent risk of contamination from extraneous materials such as stones, sand, plastic, metal fragments, hair, straw, and livestock waste. The standards mandate that chhurpi be entirely free from such contaminants.
Nutritional Enhancement: To elevate its nutritional profile, the standards require chhurpi to contain a minimum of 60 percent total milk protein by dry weight.
Fat Content Classification: Chhurpi is now classified based on its milk fat content, distinguishing between:
- High-fat chhurpi (containing 5 percent or more milk fat)
- Low-fat chhurpi (containing less than 5 percent milk fat)

Safeguarding Trust: Packaging and Labelling Regulations

Beyond the intrinsic quality of the product, the new standards also address crucial aspects of packaging and labelling. These elements are vital for facilitating smooth export processes and fostering robust trust among international buyers. In the past, the burgeoning demand for chhurpi led some businesses to engage in deceptive practices, such as producing soft cheese from cow milk and misrepresenting it as genuine yak cheese.

Under the new regulations, unscrupulous entities and individuals found engaging in such fraudulent labelling will face stringent penalties. These can include:

Imprisonment for up to six months.
A fine of up to Rs300,000.
Or a combination of both imprisonment and a fine.

Furthermore, in cases where the product is found to be contaminated, the penalties are even more severe, with individuals potentially facing:

Imprisonment for up to five years.
A fine of up to Rs500,000.
Or a combination of both imprisonment and a fine.

Charting a Course for Future Growth

By implementing these comprehensive quality standards for chhurpi, Nepal has unequivocally communicated to the global market that this beloved local product is a high-value food item deserving of international recognition. However, the journey towards maximizing market reach and ensuring widespread compliance with these new standards requires sustained effort.

Chhurpi producers themselves face ongoing challenges, including high milk prices and a perceived lack of government subsidies. These factors make it increasingly difficult for them to compete effectively in the global market. Notably, Nepal’s southern neighbour, India, where milk prices are generally lower, is emerging as a significant competitor in the dog chew manufacturing sector.

To ensure that Nepali chhurpi exports can reach new heights and maintain their competitive edge, there is an urgent need for various forms of incentivisation for Nepali chhurpi producers. Addressing these economic and structural challenges will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of this unique and cherished Nepali export.