Published: 02 December 2013

Local dairy farmers are set to benefit from the setting up of a new $7 million milk processing plant in Kwekwe.

The dairy plant, which has the capacity to process 3 million litres of milk products per month, began operating two weeks ago with the factory rolling out pasteurised milk, sour milk and cordials among others.

The factory will be officially commissioned in January 2014.

Speaking during a plant tour, the Dendairy director Mr Daryl Archibald said the factory was set up to cover a niche market and to utilise milk supplies in the southern part of the country.

Another director Mr Darren Cotzee said there is need to protect the local dairy industry against imports flooding the market as an estimated 5 million litres of boxed milk is landing in Zimbabwe every month translating to over $6 million in revenue loss.

The country's three largest dairy processors have since engaged the Ministry of Industry and Commerce over the detrimental impact of the imports.

Zimbabwe's dairy industry and milk supply is on the rebound since 2009.

Production has gone up to 56 million litres per year in 2012 from 37 million litres in 2009.

Producers are also improving the herd through the importation of heifers from South Africa. 
- zbc

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