Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Zimbabwe began the period at 4 561 t in 2018, supported by longstanding government initiatives to develop the dairy sector under the Dairy Act and the Dairy Development Programme. Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 4 099 t by 2020.

A recovery commenced in 2021, with market volume rising to 4 335 t, driven by concerted efforts to boost the productivity of smallholder and medium-scale dairy farmers through improved management and technology adoption. Following stabilization in 2022, the market grew to 4 413 t in 2023, aided by a national import substitution drive aimed at reducing reliance on milk powder imports and stimulating local production.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 4 236 tonnes, marking a 1.6% increase. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 4 055 tonnes, representing a 4.3% decrease compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats totaled 0.6 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 80.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -42.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's exports in kind were primarily shaped by Zambia and Mozambique, which together accounted for 92.7% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms came to 5 thousand US dollars, staying virtually the same as in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 75.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -37.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, Zambia and Mozambique dominated Zimbabwe's exports in value terms, accounting together for 84.7% of total flows. Other destinations had smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports peaked in 2018 at 393.5 tonnes, then fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 24.6 tonnes—a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported approximately 45.6 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, indicating an 84.9% increase compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 208.7%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 93.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over 2017-2020, the main suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Zimbabwe in kind were South Africa (37.7% of imports), Canada (28.4% of imports), and New Zealand (22.7% of imports). Together, these three countries comprised 88.8% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import levels fluctuated 17-fold between the high of 2018 at 2 828 thousand US dollars and the low of 2019 at 166 thousand US dollars. In 2020, the volume of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports into Zimbabwe amounted to 239 thousand US dollars, up by 44.1% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 232.7%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 94.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, three largest markets—Canada, South Africa, and New Zealand—remained at the centre of imports in value terms, together accounting for 88.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020