Zimbabwe’s Milk Output Rises to 57 Million Litres in First Half of 2025

Zimbabwe’s dairy industry continues to show signs of robust recovery, with milk production reaching 57 million litres during the first half of this year, up from 50 million litres recorded over the same period in 2024.

The increase has been welcomed as a key indicator of the sector’s renewed strength.

According to Dr. Renneth Mano, Executive Administrator of the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council, the growth reflects the positive impact of government-led initiatives under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which prioritises agricultural productivity and national food security.

“This upward trend highlights the effectiveness of current policies and shows that the sector is moving closer to self-reliance,” Dr. Mano said. “It’s essential to maintain this momentum by enhancing support systems, tackling specific industry challenges, and ensuring access to finance to safeguard the sector’s future.”

Zimbabwe has been experiencing steady growth in milk output for several years. From less than 90 million litres in 2016, production rose to over 114 million litres by the end of last year.

Dr. Mano noted that the national demand for milk stands at around 130 million litres per year, meaning the country is steadily narrowing the supply gap.

This increase in local output has led to a drop in dairy imports, boosted availability of Zimbabwean dairy products on the local market, and helped conserve foreign currency.

With progress being made in production, attention is now shifting toward value addition. There are ongoing plans to boost local processing of raw milk into higher-value products, which could further strengthen the industry’s contribution to economic growth.

Industry stakeholders believe that, with continued investment and policy support, Zimbabwe is on track not only to meet but also to potentially exceed its national milk needs in the coming years.