Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Zimbabwe benefited from a US$7 million European Union funding facility aimed at small-to-medium-scale dairy farmers, alongside ongoing efforts to improve dairy genetics through the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers. These initiatives supported a gradual rise in domestic output, though the total market volume contracted in 2019 and 2020 as imports fell substantially. Milk production then faced a setback in 2020 due to drought conditions and a national dairy herd that remained below target, limiting capacity.

A significant market expansion occurred in 2021 when the government eliminated or reduced 96 regulatory fees in the livestock and dairy sectors to improve the ease of doing business. This regulatory easing coincided with a sharp surge in imports, driving the total market volume to its peak for the period. In the following years, consistent focus on dairy genetics and breeding, supported by favorable policy adjustments including duty concessions, strengthened local production. This growth in domestic output gradually reduced the market's dependence on imported supplies by 2023.

Entering 2024, the sector demonstrated resilience as milk production achieved double-digit growth despite El Niño-induced drought, a result of continued genetic improvements and a streamlined regulatory environment. Strategic investments and international support for dairy farmers underpinned this upward trajectory, aligning with long-term national targets to increase the milking cow population and move toward milk self-sufficiency.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

After rising for two consecutive years, Zimbabwe's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 18,539 tonnes, but then fell by 1.6% that same year. By 2020, output had decreased further to 17,739 tonnes, marking a gradual year-on-year decline of 4.3%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

Exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Zimbabwe showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at just 4 tonnes, which was 14.2 times lower than the peak recorded in 2017. The following year, in 2020, exports surged dramatically to 30 tonnes, representing a massive 567.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports dropped by 85.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zambia and Mozambique together accounted for 92.3% of Zimbabwe's total exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in volume terms, with the remaining share distributed among smaller markets.

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

Export values for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Zimbabwe exhibited irregular and volatile changes. In 2019, the value reached its minimum at 9,000 US dollars, which was 25 times lower than the maximum recorded in 2017. By 2020, export value had rebounded to 40,000 US dollars, showing a substantial 331.7% increase over the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 91.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in value terms were heavily concentrated on Zambia, which accounted for 82.8% of total flows, while other countries made up 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 concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Zimbabwe displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2017, imports were at their lowest point, but then surged to a peak of 5,762 tonnes in 2018—a 9.2-fold increase. After declining by 52.9% in 2019, imports recovered slightly to 3,074 tonnes in 2020, showing a 13.2% gain over the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a jump of 819.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, South Africa (35.8% of imports in volume), Ireland (10.7%), and Belgium (8.0%) consistently served as the main sources for Zimbabwe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, together accounting for 54.5% of total volume.

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

Import values for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream into Zimbabwe showed irregular and volatile fluctuations. In 2017, values were at their lowest, but then rose sharply to a peak of 17,720,000 US dollars in 2018—a 7.2-fold increase. After falling by 52.4% in 2019, import values edged up to 9,001,000 US dollars in 2020, representing a moderate 6.6% gain compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 617.1%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, South Africa (41.8% of imports in value terms), Belgium (9.9%), and Ireland (9.6%) emerged as the primary markets for Zimbabwe's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in monetary terms, together making up 61.3% 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