Zimbabwe's raw milk output hit a new high in 2024, reaching 114.7 million liters, up 14.9% from the previous year.
The last record was in 2005. At that time, Zimbabwe produced 100 million liters. The new number beats the goal of 113 million liters set for 2024.
According to the Dairy Services Department, more money from businesses and the government helped, as did better dairy farming methods.
In the past, Zimbabwe had to buy milk powder from other countries. This was after changes in who owned the farms. Droughts and money problems also made it hard.
Now, Zimbabwe is close to making all the milk it needs. The country uses about 120 million liters a year.
Companies that package milk received more in 2024. They took in 105.7 million liters, 15.2% more than in 2023.
Dairy farmers also sold 11.6% more milk directly to shoppers. They sold 8.99 million liters in 2024 and 8.06 million in 2023.
Milk production increased in most months from 2023 to 2024. January had 17% more, February had 26.6% more, and August made the most milk, with 10.16 million liters.
Pamela Macheka is a farming expert. She said Zimbabwe did key things to boost dairy production: It brought in good cows, made better feed, and taught farmers new ways to work.
The private sector helped a lot, said Shaun Zumbe. He is a milk industry expert. Businesses put money into factories and delivery systems. This cut down on wasted milk.
But there are still problems. The dairy sector needs reliable electricity and water. These can be hard to get in Zimbabwe.
Even so, there is a bright future. Zimbabwe wants to produce 150 million liters of milk a year, which it could then sell to other countries in southern Africa.
The government has programs to help. They go by names like Command Livestock and the Presidential Silage Programme.
High feed costs and getting loans are still issues. Milk smuggled in from other nations is another worry. But for now, Zimbabwe's milk business is on the up and up.
The last record was in 2005. At that time, Zimbabwe produced 100 million liters. The new number beats the goal of 113 million liters set for 2024.
According to the Dairy Services Department, more money from businesses and the government helped, as did better dairy farming methods.
In the past, Zimbabwe had to buy milk powder from other countries. This was after changes in who owned the farms. Droughts and money problems also made it hard.
Now, Zimbabwe is close to making all the milk it needs. The country uses about 120 million liters a year.
Companies that package milk received more in 2024. They took in 105.7 million liters, 15.2% more than in 2023.
Dairy farmers also sold 11.6% more milk directly to shoppers. They sold 8.99 million liters in 2024 and 8.06 million in 2023.
Milk production increased in most months from 2023 to 2024. January had 17% more, February had 26.6% more, and August made the most milk, with 10.16 million liters.
Pamela Macheka is a farming expert. She said Zimbabwe did key things to boost dairy production: It brought in good cows, made better feed, and taught farmers new ways to work.
The private sector helped a lot, said Shaun Zumbe. He is a milk industry expert. Businesses put money into factories and delivery systems. This cut down on wasted milk.
But there are still problems. The dairy sector needs reliable electricity and water. These can be hard to get in Zimbabwe.
Even so, there is a bright future. Zimbabwe wants to produce 150 million liters of milk a year, which it could then sell to other countries in southern Africa.
The government has programs to help. They go by names like Command Livestock and the Presidential Silage Programme.
High feed costs and getting loans are still issues. Milk smuggled in from other nations is another worry. But for now, Zimbabwe's milk business is on the up and up.
