ASAS launches first-ever locally produced milk powder in Tanzania

TANZANIA – ASAS Dairies, a major dairy company in Tanzania, has launched the country’s first-ever locally produced milk powder in the country. 

The announcement, made by Ahmed Asas, has sparked widespread excitement and optimism for the future of dairy production in the East African nation. 

The product, available in various sizes, was showcased in images shared online, highlighting its branding as “Lait Entier en Poudre Instantane” or instant full-cream milk powder.

According to a Food and Agriculture Organization report, Tanzania has seen a growing demand for milk, driven by an increasing population of younger consumers. 

This demand has historically been met through imports and reconstituted powdered milk donated by international organizations like the European Economic Community and the World Food Program. 

However, ASAS Dairies’ new product signals a shift toward self-sufficiency in dairy production, a goal long supported by government policies. 

The Tanzania Livestock Master Plan of 2017, as noted, has prioritized the development of milk powder processing plants to strengthen the sector.

The launch has been met with enthusiastic responses from the public. 

“This is a new chapter in dairy for Tanzania,” Ahmed Asas stated, emphasizing the importance of this milestone. 

Established in 2004, ASAS Dairies has grown from a modest operation into one of the country’s largest dairy processors, with a focus on modernizing production and improving supply chains. 

In 2015, the company invested US$10 million to establish a state-of-the-art milk processing facility in Dar es Salaam, capable of processing 50,000 liters of milk per day. 

This facility laid the groundwork for the company’s latest venture into milk powder production.

In 2018, ASAS Dairies partnered with the Tanzania Dairy Board to launch the “Dairy Value Chain Enhancement Program,” an initiative to support smallholder farmers through training, access to veterinary services, and improved milk collection systems. 

The program has empowered over 5,000 dairy farmers across regions like Iringa and Morogoro, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality raw milk for processing. 

This initiative has been instrumental in preparing the supply chain for the demands of milk powder production.

Additionally, in 2021, ASAS Dairies secured a US$5 million grant from the African Development Bank to adopt renewable energy solutions in its processing plants. 

The introduction of solar-powered systems reduced operational costs and enhanced the sustainability of its operations, positioning the company to scale up production efficiently for the milk powder launch.

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