Milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The Zimbabwean milk powder market underwent significant changes starting with the deregulation of the dairy sector in 2018, which ended the monopoly of the Dairy Marketing Board and encouraged new companies to enter the industry. This structural shift coincided with high import volumes that year. In 2019, the government's import substitution policy and the suspension of duty on imported milk powder aimed at supporting local production contributed to a sharp drop in imports, reducing the total market volume to 1 849 t.

From 2020 to 2022, market volume recovered and expanded, reaching over 3 300 t. This growth was fueled by persistent domestic milk production shortfalls, which necessitated higher imports, and was further facilitated by the government's 2022 suspension of import duties and removal of import licenses for milk powder. Local production gains were supported by the EU-funded TranZDVC project, which registered thousands of new dairy farmers, imported high-genetic heifers, and promoted advanced breeding techniques such as artificial insemination.

By 2023, the market volume adjusted to 3 028 t as the government began reducing the milk powder import sliding scale from 75% to 25% by 2025, fostering import substitution. This trend continued into 2024, with raw milk production rising and milk powder imports declining under the import substitution policy. Local production grew steadily, aided by favorable rainfall, expanded dairy herds, and ongoing technological adoption, while Dairibord Holdings remained a leading processor.

Production milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5%, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5%, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, Zimbabwe's production of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% declined. In 2020, the country produced 1 027 tonnes, representing a modest decrease of 4.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 079 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.6%.

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

Exports milk powder with fat content of ≤1.5% from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia was the dominant destination for Zimbabwe's exports of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% in volume terms, accounting for 96.6% of total 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

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Zambia was overwhelmingly the primary market for Zimbabwe's exports of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% in value terms, representing 96.1% of total export value.

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 with fat content of ≤1.5% to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a dramatic 47-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported 1 931 tonnes of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5%, representing a substantial year-on-year increase of 36.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 931 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4 610.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 60.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (62.3% of import volume), Belgium (9.2%), and Malta (6.2%) continued to be Zimbabwe's main suppliers of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5%, together accounting for 77.7% 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 import market demonstrated significant instability throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, followed by a peak in 2018, showing a remarkable 50-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Zimbabwe's imports of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% reached 3 602 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 6.5% compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 6 449 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4 883.8%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, when import value dropped by 47.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, three key markets—South Africa, Belgium, and Malta—remained central to Zimbabwe's imports of milk powder with a fat content of ≤1.5% in value terms, collectively representing 81.7% of total import value.

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

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