Milk powder market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The milk powder market volume in Zimbabwe started at 12 551 t in 2018, but dairy producers faced a new livestock development levy that raised their costs. By 2019, despite a 13% increase in milk production due to improved efficiency, the total market volume dropped to 9 689 t as imports fell sharply. The market stabilized at 9 679 t in 2020.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, with the market volume peaking at 14 306 t. However, in 2022 it contracted to 13 172 t after the government issued Statutory Instrument 222, which cut milk powder allocation by 50% and constrained supply.

The downward trend continued in 2023, with market volume falling to 11 825 t as imports declined by 26% under import substitution policies and rising domestic output, aided by the removal of 96 regulatory fees in the dairy sector. In 2024, the milking herd had expanded 60% since 2020, regulatory reforms reduced business costs, and Nestlé launched an organic infant formula milk powder, signaling market diversification.

Production milk powder in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's milk powder production experienced a two-year growth period before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 7 000 tonnes, representing a 1.6% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, production fell to 6 695 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 4.4% compared to 2019.

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

Exports milk powder from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

The export market for milk powder in Zimbabwe showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at just 3 tonnes, then surged dramatically in 2020 to 30 tonnes - an increase of 856.9% compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when exports dropped by 85.8%. Overall, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a 20-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe's milk powder exports were heavily concentrated in just two markets. Zambia and Mozambique together accounted for 92.2% of all exports in volume terms, with other trading partners representing only a small fraction of total 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 value of Zimbabwe's milk powder exports showed considerable instability throughout this period. Exports reached their highest value in 2017, then plummeted to their lowest point in 2019 - a dramatic 28-fold difference between these years. In 2020, export value recovered to $40,000 US, representing a substantial increase of 376.9% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, when export value fell by 91.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia dominated Zimbabwe's milk powder exports in value terms, accounting for 83.0% of total export revenue. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares during this period.

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 powder to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Zimbabwe's milk powder imports displayed notable volatility between 2017 and 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017, then surged to their peak in 2018 at 5 671 tonnes - representing a massive 1,203.5% increase from the previous year. In 2019, imports experienced their largest decline, falling by 52.5%. By 2020, imports stood at 3 014 tonnes, showing a strong 12.0% increase compared to 2019. Overall, there was a 13-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe's milk powder imports in volume terms were primarily sourced from three key markets. South Africa led with 33.8% of imports, followed by Ireland at 11.0% and Belgium at 8.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.2% of Zimbabwe's total milk powder imports during this period.

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 value of Zimbabwe's milk powder imports showed significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest value in 2017, then jumped dramatically in 2018 to $17,548,000 US - an increase of 738.5% from the previous year. In 2019, import value experienced its largest decline, falling by 52.3%. By 2020, imports stood at $8,871,000 US, showing a moderate 5.9% increase compared to 2019. Overall, there was an 8.4-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's milk powder imports in value terms were concentrated among three main suppliers. South Africa was the dominant source, accounting for 40.6% of import value, followed by Belgium at 10.1% and Ireland at 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 60.5% of Zimbabwe's total milk powder import expenditure during this period.

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

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