Commercial Milk Output Reaches Record 122 Million Litres in 2025

Zimbabwe’s commercial milk output reached its highest level in more than two decades in 2025, with raw milk production rising to about 122 million litres. When non-commercial milk consumed at household level is included, total national production stood at nearly 129 million litres.

The strong performance reflects continued recovery and structural strengthening of the dairy industry, driven by a combination of Government support and private sector investment implemented under the Second Republic.

Industry data shows that commercial milk production has grown by about 85 percent since 2017, when output was recorded at 66 million litres. Figures from the Dairy Services Unit indicate that the last time comparable volumes were achieved was in 2003, when production reached 111 million litres.

Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers (ZADF) national chairman, Mr Edward Warambwa, said December recorded the highest monthly output on record, with milk deliveries reaching about 11,4 million litres.

He said total commercial milk production for 2025 amounted to 121,8 million litres, excluding an estimated seven million litres produced and consumed outside the formal market. This brought overall milk output for the year to approximately 128,8 million litres.

ZADF praised dairy farmers for maintaining production growth despite operating under challenging conditions, including rising input costs, limited access to affordable finance and ageing infrastructure.

Mr Warambwa said production costs have steadily increased over recent years, rising from around US$0,56 per litre in 2021 to US$0,60 in 2022 and about US$0,63 per litre currently, while producer prices have failed to respond accordingly.

Over the same period, retail prices for Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) milk have fluctuated significantly, ranging from about US$1,10 per litre in 2021, peaking at US$1,75 in 2024, and averaging roughly US$1,35 per litre at present.

He noted that although production costs stabilised during most of 2025, the average producer price remained at around US$0,58 per litre, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of dairy farming if the pricing imbalance persists.

According to ZADF, the dairy industry supports about 42 000 jobs and maintains a national herd of roughly 67 000 cattle, including more than 40 000 milking cows.

Mr Warambwa said Zimbabwe could achieve milk self-sufficiency this year if key challenges — including pricing, regulatory costs, power supply reliability and access to suitable financing — are adequately addressed.

Milk intake by processors remained strong throughout the year, averaging above nine million litres per month from July to December, pointing to improved productivity at farm level and stable marketing arrangements.

Processor intake started the year at 8,76 million litres in January, dipped slightly in February and then rose steadily from March. The second half of the year marked a clear upswing, with July and August recording monthly intakes of 9,23 million litres and 9,40 million litres, respectively.

December delivered the strongest performance, with milk volumes destined for sale exceeding 11,41 million litres, the highest monthly figure recorded in 2025.

Direct sales by producers to consumers remained steady at between 700 000 and 780 000 litres per month, indicating that formal processors continue to absorb most of the milk produced. However, the consistent level of direct retailing highlights the growing contribution of small-scale and peri-urban dairy farmers to local supply.

Year-on-year data shows positive growth across most months, particularly towards the end of the year. October, November and December recorded increases of 9,7 percent, 10,15 percent and 13,43 percent, respectively, reflecting improvements in feed availability, herd management and favourable weather conditions.

Agronomist Ms Pamela Macheka attributed the sector’s performance to improved farm practices, including better pasture management, increased use of silage and commercial feeds, and enhanced extension support services.

She said continued investment in animal genetics and irrigation would help sustain the gains achieved so far.

Overall, the 2025 results suggest a dairy industry that is rebuilding confidence, capacity and competitiveness, positioning it as an important contributor to agricultural growth and national nutrition security.

Zimbabwe’s dairy recovery has been supported by several targeted interventions. In 2018, the Second Republic launched the Command Livestock Programme, under which 660 heifers were distributed to 151 beneficiaries across Matabeleland South’s seven districts.

The Presidential Silage Programme, implemented through the Agricultural Finance Corporation and the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, was introduced to support 1 338 farmers with feed production.

In addition, the European Union-funded Zimbabwe Agricultural Growth Programme supported the Transforming Zimbabwe’s Dairy Value Chain for the Future (TranZDVC) project, which registered more than 4 000 new dairy farmers between 2019 and 2022.

The project also strengthened genetics by importing 500 in-calf heifers from South Africa between 2020 and 2021, distributing them through a heifer-matching grant system. It further procured thousands of straws of sexed and conventional dairy semen and expanded artificial insemination services to improve breeding, reduce inbreeding and enhance the national gene pool.