Zimbabwe milk production surges 20%

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwe's dairy industry is experiencing a significant resurgence, with milk production soaring by 20% during the first half of the year. According to the National Dairy Association of Zimbabwe, output has climbed from 45 million liters to over 55 million liters compared to the same period in 2023.

Government interventions aimed at revitalizing the sector are being credited for driving this growth. With an ambitious target of reaching 100 million liters by year-end, the country is steadily inching closer to self-sufficiency in milk production. Currently, Zimbabwe requires approximately 130 million liters annually.

"The average monthly production has exceeded 8 million liters this year, a substantial improvement from the previous year," said Paul Zakariya, Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union. He emphasized the government's crucial role in supporting the entire milk production value chain.

While celebrating these achievements, industry stakeholders remain concerned about the rising costs of stock feed. They are urging authorities to address this challenge to sustain the growth trajectory.

To further bolster the dairy sector, key players will convene this week for their annual conference. The gathering, attended by government officials, industry representatives, and development partners, will focus on strategies to reduce the import bill for dairy products and enhance overall production.