Concentrated sweetened milk and cream market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Zimbabwe fluctuated, starting at 836 tons in 2018. The launch of the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain (TranZDVC) project and enhanced public-private cooperation aimed at strengthening dairy production linkages. In 2019, market volume fell to 780 tons, largely due to a sharp drop in imports, while domestic production rose slightly as TranZDVC mobilized over 4,000 new dairy farmers. By 2020, the market stabilized at 786 tons, with a temporary rebound in imports, even as domestic output dipped slightly despite efforts to import heifers for genetic improvement and boost feed availability through the Command Silage Programme.

Between 2021 and 2023, domestic production grew steadily, reaching 788 tons in 2023, supported by the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan, which helped raw milk production increase by 14.3% in 2021-2022, and European Union funding for dairy value chain transformation. In 2022, the government reduced duty-free import quotas for milk powder and cheese to protect local dairy farmers, leading to a further decline in imports. These measures, along with tax regime adjustments and an 11.3% increase in the dairy herd, contributed to a market volume that recovered to 786 tons by 2023, with a rising share of domestically produced goods.

In 2024, milk production continued its upward trend, with a 21% rise in the first quarter, reflecting ongoing policy efforts to quadruple dairy output by 2030 to meet growing demand.

Production concentrated sweetened milk and cream in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Zimbabwe's production of concentrated sweetened milk and cream saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, output reached its peak at 759.1 tonnes, marking a 1.6% rise from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 726.6 tonnes, representing a modest 4.3% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports concentrated sweetened milk and cream from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Zimbabwe's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream amounted to 1.4 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports surged by 1 093%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 128.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique was consistently the primary and nearly exclusive destination for Zimbabwe's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of shipments.

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 2019, the value of Zimbabwe's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream stood at 0.9 thousand US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, export value increased by 642.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 95.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Mozambique was overwhelmingly the main destination for Zimbabwe's exports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in value terms, representing 100.0% of total flows.

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 sweetened milk and cream to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes exhibited significant fluctuations, indicating a volatile market. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 22.0 tonnes, a 75.4% drop from the previous year and an 8.5-fold decrease from the peak in 2017. By 2020, imports rebounded to 59.7 tonnes, a sharp 171.2% increase compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the dominant and nearly sole source for Zimbabwe's imports of concentrated sweetened milk and cream in volume terms, with a 98.6% share.

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

The import market showed notable volatility during this period. In 2019, import value reached its minimum at 58.7 thousand US dollars, declining by 64.5% from the previous year and marking a 6.1-fold drop from the 2017 peak. By 2020, imports surged to 130.0 thousand US dollars, a substantial 121.4% increase compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa clearly dominated as the supplier of concentrated sweetened milk and cream to Zimbabwe in value terms, accounting for 99.0% of total imports.

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

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