Milk production drops 8 percent

ZIMBABWE’S milk production fell eight percent month-on-month in February, according to data from the Agriculture ministry’s Dairy Services Department.
This, however, comes as the country’s dairy farmers have seen a significant increase in milk production in the first two months of 2024, with output up 21 percent year-on-year to 18,33 million litres.
The decline, from 9,52 million litres in January to 8,81 million litres in February, is attributed to the impacts of extreme drought and El Niñno conditions, which have led to deteriorating pasture conditions and water availability. The situation is exacerbated by sluggish milk prices and rising production costs.
“We anticipate the downward trend to continue into the second quarter of the year if the cost of production versus producer price challenges are not addressed,” said Paidamoyo Chadoka, CEO of the Zimbabwe Association for Dairy Farmers (ZADF).