Online Reporter
Tapiwanashe Mangwiro, Business Reporter
MILK production in Zimbabwe rose by 2,6 percent to 28 million litres in the first quarter of 2025, driven by improved pastures and an expanding dairy herd, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
“In the first quarter of 2025, output rose to 28 million litres, up from 27,30 million litres during the same period in 2024. This 2,6 percent increase reflects the combined impact of improved pasture growth following unusually generous rains in late 2024,” the dairy department reported.
The improvement is also attributed to a deliberate expansion of the national dairy herd, which increased by 8,7 percent, from 60 398 head in 2023 to 65 659 head in 2024, under Government–EU partnership schemes providing in-calf heifers and subsidised veterinary services.
Monthly figures for March further highlight the positive effects of better grazing conditions. Milk deliveries reached 9,57 million litres in March 2025, up from 8,96 million litres in March 2024, a 6,8 percent increase. This growth enabled many smallholder and commercial producers to improve yields without resorting to expensive purchased feeds.
Farmers in traditionally drought-prone areas reported the most dramatic improvements, with some cooperatives citing double-digit percentage gains in daily output as pastures regenerated rapidly under favourable weather conditions.
Nevertheless, the seasonal rhythm of the dairy sector remains evident. First-quarter production in 2025 was 5,5 percent lower than the fourth quarter of 2024, when output reached 29,64 million litres. This decline aligns with historical trends, as dry-season fodder stocks and crop by-products like maize husks typically boost fourth-quarter yields, while the early months of the year rely on emerging pastures that take time to reach peak nutritive value.
Stakeholders are exploring strategies such as enhanced silage production, improved fodder conservation, and targeted feed supplementation to bridge the gap between lean and flush seasons and ensure more stable year-round supply.
Agronomist Thembalani Kunene commented:
“Behind the headline numbers lie three interconnected drivers of growth: weather, herd size, and technical support. Above-average rainfall between December 2024 and February 2025 created abundant grazing, reducing feed costs by an estimated 15 percent for smallholders.
“The 8,7 percent expansion of the national dairy herd, now totalling 65 659 head, provided a broader milk-producing base. This was supported by Government and EU initiatives, which delivered high-quality heifers, extended veterinary outreach, and subsidised artificial insemination services.”
Further gains were realised through farmer training programmes in modern dairy husbandry, feed formulation, and herd health management, which have helped increase per-cow productivity by around 4 percent over the past year.
These improvements come at a crucial time, as Zimbabwe targets 120 million litres of milk production in 2025 — up from 114 million litres in 2024, as part of broader efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and reduce dairy imports, which have placed pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
In 2024, dairy imports fell by approximately 20 percent, signalling that locally produced milk and dairy products are increasingly replacing foreign alternatives.
To maintain this momentum, the Government has reduced tariffs on milking machinery and feed inputs and is investing in milk-cooling infrastructure and fodder storage facilities to help buffer producers against seasonal fluctuations.
However, challenges remain. Many smallholder farmers still lack access to affordable credit, limiting their ability to invest in equipment and inputs that could raise yields further. Transport and power supply issues add to operational costs, while intermittent dry spells continue to expose the vulnerabilities of rain-fed grazing systems.
Industry leaders are calling for the rollout of decentralised milk-cooling hubs, particularly in remote provinces, as well as microfinance schemes tailored to the cash flow cycles of dairy farmers. They argue that such measures would help consolidate gains achieved through favourable weather and herd expansion.
Despite these hurdles, optimism remains high. Agronomist Pamela Macheka pointed to structural improvements in the sector, crediting enhanced farming techniques, better livestock nutrition, and ongoing training programmes for the upward trend.
“Key initiatives, such as sourcing in-calf heifers from neighbouring countries, improving livestock feed, and training farmers in modern dairy practices, have significantly improved productivity, especially among smallholder farmers,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of genetics:
“The introduction of high-yield breeds has helped farmers reach better productivity levels, aligning with Government’s broader goal of modernising agriculture to support food security and economic stability.”
The Government support has been pivotal, offering both financial and technical assistance, reducing production costs, and easing import restrictions on essential raw materials.
Mutare-based dairy farmer Simon Zimunya praised State-backed programmes and private-sector partnerships for transforming his own farm:
“The funding and technical support we’ve received have been instrumental. Access to modern dairy knowledge and high-yield breeds has significantly improved our output. With continued support, I believe Zimbabwe’s dairy sector can achieve self-sufficiency and even become a regional exporter.”
The Zimbabwe Dairy Industry Trust has set an ambitious target of surpassing 120 million litres in 2025, up from 114 million litres in 2024. This milestone is seen as a step towards the national requirement of 130 million litres and full self-sufficiency.
Buy Zimbabwe General Manager, Alois Burutsa, noted that since 2018, local dairy products have increasingly displaced imports, contributing positively to the national balance of payments.
“There’s been a marked improvement in the availability of locally produced dairy goods, resulting in fewer imports. This trend shows Zimbabwe is on the right track to becoming self-reliant in dairy production,” he said.
As the country works towards its 2025 target of 120 million litres, sustained public and private investment will be essential. Strategic policy implementation, improved farming practices, and collaboration between Government, donors, and the private sector have already produced meaningful results.
The challenge now is to embed these gains through investment in infrastructure, financing mechanisms, and farmer training, building a resilient dairy industry that can meet domestic demand, mitigate seasonal shocks, and eventually generate export revenues.
With the right mix of support and innovation, Zimbabwe is well positioned to transform its dairy sector into a key driver of agricultural growth and national food security.
