Zimbabwe reports 7% rise in milk production in first nine months

ZIMBABWE – According to data from the Dairy Services Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, milk production rose about 7% to 94.98 million litres in the first nine months of 2026, from 88.9 million litres in the same period last year

Milk intake by processors increased 6.8% to 87.8 million litres from 82.2 million litres, while volumes retailed directly by producers rose 7% to 7.17 million litres from 6.7 million litres.

Output averaged 10.55 million litres a month over the period, compared with 9.88 million litres a year earlier. Production peaked at 11.44 million litres in August, up 8.3% from the same month in 2025.

September output was 11.23 million litres, 6.3% higher than a year earlier. The lowest monthly volume was recorded in February at 9.39 million litres.

Direct retail sales by producers fell 9% in January but rose in every month after that, with the sharpest increase of 11.8% in August. Total production in 2025 stood at 121.85 million litres.

The country recorded an 8% increase in milk production in the first quarter of 2026, signalling continued recovery despite slower growth of on-farm processing.

Official figures show milk production rose to 30.14 million litres between January and March, up from 28.03 million litres during the same period last year.

Milk processor intake followed a similar trajectory, rising from 25.74 million litres in 2025 to 8% to 27.81 million litres.

The first-quarter performance builds on a strong start to the year. In January alone, milk production rose 9% to 10.6 million litres, while processor intake increased 10% to 9.81 million litres.

However, retail milk output, which is milk processed by farmers, grew at a significantly slower pace, increasing by just two percent to 2.32 million litres, compared to 2.29 million litres in the prior year. The slower growth rate is seen as an impediment to rural industrialisation.

 The country’s dairy industry is poised for significant expansion as Government and industry stakeholders intensify efforts to close a national milk supply deficit of nearly 100 million litres annually and position the country as a competitive regional exporter.

Addressing the Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers’ 12th annual general meeting in Harare yesterday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said the dairy sector had become one of the country’s agricultural success stories.

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