Zimbabwe targets quadrupling dairy output to meet 2030 demand

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe is positioning its dairy industry as a critical contributor to the nation’s Vision 2030 agenda, with an ambitious goal of producing 480 million litres of milk annually.

This goal, aimed at reducing dependency on imports, also seeks to harness growing regional demand for dairy products and bolster trade opportunities within Africa.

According to the Livestock Meat and Advisory Council (LMAC), Zimbabwe will need to increase its population of lactating cows to 100,000 to meet these production targets.

LMAC executive administrator, Dr. Reneth Mano, highlighted the trade potential of this expansion.

“As the country targets upper-middle-income status by 2030, the need for raw milk and value-added dairy products will expand,” he stated.

“This creates significant trade opportunities for exports in the region, where dairy consumption is also on the rise.”

Currently, Zimbabwe produces approximately 115 million litres of raw milk annually, falling short of the self-sufficiency target.

Domestic milk consumption remains below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended level for low-to-middle-income countries, with per capita consumption under 10 litres annually against the WHO’s benchmark of 45 litres.

To bridge this gap, both the government and private sector are investing heavily in scaling dairy herds and enhancing productivity.

Small-scale commercial farmers, responsible for just 2% of the national output, are seen as pivotal to this growth.

Encouraging the adoption of advanced genetics and modern farming practices could increase average milk yields per cow from the current 3,000 litres annually to 5,000 litres, significantly boosting production.

The structural composition of Zimbabwe’s dairy sector, where large-scale producers contribute 78% of the output, medium-scale producers account for 20%, and small-scale farmers provide 2%, offers significant opportunities.

Integrating small-scale farmers into formal value chains through partnerships and investments could not only strengthen the sector but also help achieve export ambitions.

Historically, Zimbabwe has promoted a culture of dairy consumption, including milk distribution programs for school children in the 1980s and 1990s.

Reviving such initiatives could spur domestic demand while cementing Zimbabwe’s reputation as a reliable supplier of quality dairy products across the region.

Between 2017 and 2023, Zimbabwe’s raw milk production rose by 51%, and its lactating cow population grew by 122%, signaling robust growth.

With continued investments in genetics, fodder, and pasture management, Zimbabwe is poised to achieve self-sufficiency and emerge as a significant trade hub for dairy products in Southern Africa.

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