Zimbabwe Dairy Sector Achieves 7.5% Growth in Milk Production

In the first quarter of the year, Zimbabwe's dairy industry achieved a significant milestone with a 7.5% increase in milk production compared to the same quarter in 2025, as confirmed by Antonnette Chigwe, policy officer of the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers. This growth aligns with the sector's objective to meet national milk production targets.

Chigwe highlighted that favorable government and private sector policies, including training programs and enhanced pasture management, have contributed to this upward trend. Additionally, favorable weather conditions, with good rainfall, have supported dairy cows in producing more milk.

The national dairy herd in Zimbabwe has also expanded by approximately 7.5%, reaching 70,000 cattle, up from 65,000. This expansion supports the country's goal of achieving an annual milk production target of 130 million liters, necessary to meet domestic demand.

Traditionally reliant on imports to supplement local milk supply, Zimbabwe's current growth trajectory is expected to reduce the import bill significantly. Prince Kuipa, an economist with the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, noted that the gap between milk demand and supply is being addressed through coordinated interventions between the government and private sector.

As the supply continues to rise, expectations are that imports will decrease, demonstrating a positive growth path for the agricultural sector. The current trajectory suggests a strengthening performance within the broader agricultural sector, further reinforcing recovery and expansion efforts in the dairy industry.