Zimbabwe’s raw milk production hits 105M litres record

ZIMBABWE – Zimbabwe’s raw milk production has reached a record high of 105 million litres in the first eleven months of the year 2024, surpassing the previous annual peak of 100 million litres set in 2005.

This milestone has been attributed to the combined efforts of dairy farmers and the government’s import substitution policy aimed at boosting local production.

According to the Dairy Services Unit (DSU), raw milk production rose by 16 percent, from 90,311,809 litres during January to November 2023, to 104,636,973 litres in the same period this year.

Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) national chairman, Mr. Edward Warambwa, emphasized that joint stakeholder efforts have contributed significantly to the gradual recovery of raw milk production since 2012.

He expressed optimism about the sector’s growth potential, stating that the industry could achieve self-sufficiency and even begin to export if critical issues such as milk pricing, feed costs, compliance expenses, erratic power supply, and access to financing are addressed.

Mr. Warambwa highlighted the importance of investment in irrigation to ensure water availability for fodder and pasture development, which would help reduce stock feed costs.

He also advocated for investment in solar energy to mitigate the effects of power outages, particularly to maintain the cold chain and secure water supply for dairy farms.

While acknowledging the progress made, Mr. Warambwa warned that the influx of smuggled dairy products poses a threat to the industry. He urged authorities to enhance security measures at border posts to curb illegal imports.

Despite these challenges, he affirmed that the sector is on track to meet its 15 percent annual growth target, with raw milk production projected to reach 115 million litres by year-end.

Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (LMAC) executive administrator, Dr. Reneth Mano, noted that the domestic dairy production sector is recovering, aided by growth in the national dairy herd.

However, he pointed out that Zimbabwe’s productivity and profitability still trail behind regional competitors.

Dr. Mano stressed the potential for growth in the small-scale commercial dairy subsector, particularly through the adoption of superior dairy animal genetics.

He explained that while the current smallholder sector relies on low-performing crossbred cows yielding an average of 3,000 litres of milk annually, proper genetics and management could increase yields to 5,000 litres per lactating cow per year.