Zimbabwe raw milk production up in September

Zimbabwe’s raw milk production increased by nearly three percent to 5.72 million litres in September, compared to 5.58 million litres achieved in the same period last year, latest figures show.

According to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture’s dairy services department, milk intake by processors slightly grew by 1.13 percent to 5.16 million litres from 5.10 million litres during the same period in 2016, while retailed milk increased 19.43 percent to 562 591 litres from 471 076 litres in the prior year.

Cumulatively, from January to September raw milk production stood at 48.57 million litres compared to 48.63 million litres recorded last year.

In the month of August, raw milk production increased 1.75 percent to 5.84 million litres from 5.74million recorded the prior year.

Milk intake by processors in the same month remained flat at 5.25 million liters while retailed milk increased by 19.99 percent to 591 174 from 492 666.

In 2016, milk production grew by 13 percent to 65.36 million litres, but it was still short of the country’s annual requirement, estimated at 120 million litres. 

Government is targeting milk production to rise to between 97 million and 100 million liters per annum by 2019, leveraging on a growing national herd and sectoral protectionist measures.- The Source

(87 VIEWS)