• Tanzania launches 10-year plan to boost dairy output and productivity

• Project includes high-yield cows, collection centers, and infrastructure

• Goal is to move toward self-sufficiency as demand rises

Tanzania’s Dairy Board (TDB) has launched a long-term project running from 2025 to 2035 aimed at developing the country’s dairy sector with government support. The initiative was outlined by TDB Secretary General George Msalya in comments to local outlet The Citizen on March 28.

With a total cost of 520 billion shillings (about $200 million), the project includes a set of structural measures designed to improve productivity across the value chain. It plans to import 17,200 high-yield dairy cows, build 150 new milk collection centers, and invest in water infrastructure and fodder production.

According to the same source, producers are expected to benefit from improved access to affordable credit, modern training, and higher-quality inputs to boost both milk output and quality.

While the origin of the imported dairy cattle has not yet been specified, Tanzania approved in November the import of a wide range of livestock products from Brazil, including live cattle for breeding purposes.

Productivity in the sector remains low. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture show that local cows produce between 0.5 and 2 liters of milk per day, or 182 to 730 liters per year per animal. By comparison, Brazil’s average dairy yield stood at about 2,362 liters per cow per year in 2024, according to official figures.

If implemented, the TDB’s investment plan is expected to significantly raise Tanzania’s production capacity over time.

Self-sufficiency in focus

Fresh milk production in Tanzania has been rising in recent years. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that output increased by 29% over five years, from 3.1 million tons in 2020 to 4 million tons in 2024.

Despite this growth, the country still relies on imports, though at relatively low levels. According to the FAO, Tanzania imported an average of 29,301 tons of dairy products in milk equivalent per year between 2020 and 2024, mainly milk powder and butter. Over that period, the annual import bill averaged $7.76 million.

In this context, the government’s challenge will be to strengthen domestic production capacity and move closer to achieving dairy self-sufficiency in the coming years.

Stéphanas Assocle