Cheese and curd market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cheese and curd in Zimbabwe experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 5 826 t in 2018, volume dropped to 5 119 t in 2019, largely due to foreign currency shortages and economic hardships that constrained imports. The market stabilized in 2020 at 5 142 t as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer behavior and businesses adapted to USD-based pricing. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with market size jumping to 6 039 t, supported by the dairy industry's resilience and increased poultry demand during the pandemic.

Production growth became more consistent from 2021 onward, rising from 4 921 t to 5 201 t in 2023. This was primarily driven by Dairibord Holdings Limited, the country's largest milk processor, which increased its raw milk utilization by 40% and expanded market share. Government interventions also helped reduce costs for dairy producers, such as the overhaul of livestock transit fees that lowered herd movement expenses from US$10 per animal to a flat US$5 per herd. Additionally, amendments to maize marketing policy aimed at improving feed availability contributed to a more stable supply chain for cheese production.

Production cheese and curd in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's cheese and curd production saw a two-year period of growth before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 5 010 tonnes, representing a 1.6% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 4 796 tonnes, marking a modest 4.3% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

Zimbabwe's cheese and curd exports reached 150.8 tonnes in 2020, which represents a significant 46.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by an impressive 8 524%, with a compound annual growth rate of 341.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia was the dominant buyer of Zimbabwe's cheese and curd exports, accounting for 91.0% of the total volume shipped.

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 cheese and curd exports were valued at 496 thousand US dollars, showing a dramatic 62.5% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, export values surged by 4 194.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 250.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Zambia was the principal market for Zimbabwe's cheese and curd exports in value terms, representing 87.4% of total export earnings. Other destinations accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Zimbabwe's cheese and curd import market showed considerable volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 897.3 tonnes before falling sharply to 211.8 tonnes in 2019, representing a 76.4% decline. In 2020, imports rebounded to 497.0 tonnes, marking an abrupt 134.7% increase from the previous year. The difference between the 2018 peak and 2019 trough was 4.2 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the leading source of cheese and curd imports to Zimbabwe, accounting for 72.4% of total import volume. The remainder was distributed among other trading partners.

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

Zimbabwe's cheese and curd import market displayed significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. Import values reached their highest point in 2018 at 3 950 thousand US dollars before plummeting to 527 thousand US dollars in 2019, a dramatic 86.6% decline. In 2020, imports rebounded to 1 701 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial 222.6% increase from the previous year. The variation between the 2018 peak and 2019 low was 7.5 times.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, South Africa remained the dominant source of cheese and curd imports to Zimbabwe in value terms, accounting for 79.3% of total import spending. Other markets represented the remaining share.

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

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