Milk market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The Zimbabwean milk market volume initially faced a setback, declining from 421.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 401.9 thousand tons in 2019, largely due to currency volatility and inflation that hindered farmers' access to essential inputs. However, the foundation for recovery was laid early with the launch of the government's Command Livestock Programme in 2018, which distributed 200 heifers to farmers to improve herd genetics and boost dairy production, supported by private integrators like Dendairy, Nestle Zimbabwe, and ProDairy.

Subsequent years saw a return to growth, with market volume reaching 433.3 thousand tons by 2021. This expansion was driven by the continued rollout of the Command Livestock Programme on a cost-recovery basis and the introduction of dairy hubs and out-grower models, which improved milk aggregation and market access for smallholders. While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains for stock feed in 2020, these structural initiatives helped the sector maintain its upward trajectory.

Growth continued through 2023, with the market volume climbing to 446.8 thousand tons. Investments facilitated by the Matching Grants Facility in 2022 supported dairy assets and infrastructure, enhancing productivity. Despite a severe drought induced by El Niño in 2023 that affected cattle and feed availability, the sector demonstrated resilience, partly due to strategic planning for feed and fodder security. Ongoing government-private sector cooperation focused on improving herd genetics and reducing production costs has been central to the market's performance over the period.

Production milk in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, milk production in Zimbabwe increased in 2020. The country produced 410.6 K t of milk that year, marking a slight 2.4% rise from 2019. Production had reached its lowest point in 2019 at 401.0 K t, with the largest annual decline of 3.5% occurring that same year.

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

Exports milk from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

Milk exports from Zimbabwe have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country shipped 1 913 t of milk abroad, representing a moderate 7.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports surged by 1 016.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 123.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Zimbabwe's milk exports in volume terms were Mozambique (27.8% of exports), Botswana (14.1%), and Zambia (8.4%). Together, these three countries accounted for 50.3% of total export flows.

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe's milk export value totaled 1 110 K $ US, up 8.0% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 167 K $ US, when exports saw their largest decline of 49.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 515.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Mozambique (29.3% of export value), Zambia (15.9%), and Botswana (9.1%) remained the main markets for Zimbabwe's milk exports in value terms. Collectively, they represented 54.3% of total export 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 milk to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes hit their minimum in 2017 and climbed to a maximum in 2018, representing a 9.1-fold increase. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported 3 097 t of milk, up 13.8% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5 781 t, when imports saw their largest annual increase of 805.2%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 52.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa (36.1% of import volume), Ireland (10.6%), and Belgium (8.0%) were the main suppliers of milk to Zimbabwe. Together, they comprised 54.7% of total imports in volume terms.

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 market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2017 and rose to a maximum in 2018, with a 7.1-fold difference. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported milk worth 9 040 K $ US, a modest 7.0% increase compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 17 768 K $ US, when imports experienced their largest annual rise of 612.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, decreasing by 52.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (41.9% of import value), Belgium (9.9%), and Ireland (9.5%) were the primary sources in the geographical breakdown of milk imports to Zimbabwe in value terms. Their combined share accounted for 61.4% of total import flows.

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

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