Zim milk output increases by 17%

Audrey Galawu

Zimbabwe’s milk output rose 17% to 9.52 million litres in January 2024 from 8.14 million litres in the same period last year.

Statistics from the Agriculture Ministry’s Dairy Services Department show that the country’s milk intake by processors went up 16% in the first month of 2024 to 8.75 million litres from 7.53 million litres previously.

Retail milk production, however, surged by 26% from 609 577 litres in the same period in 2023 to 770 553 litres.

January milk output at 9.52 million litres was marginally up from 9.5 million litres recorded in December 2023.

This increase in milk production in January 2024 compared to January 2023 is a positive sign of growth in the dairy industry. It indicates improved efficiency and potentially increased demand for milk products during that period.

The increase in milk production has been attributed to collaboration between producers and processors.

In 2020, the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain for the Future imported 200-in calf heifers from South Africa to boost Zimbabwe’s dairy livestock genetics.

One of TranzDVC’s key activities has been focusing on investments in productive assets to improve the performance of the dairy value chain in the country.

The aim is to support investments to increase milk production and milk sales.