According to a recent report from the Dairy Development Authority (DDA), Dairy exports in the country reached a record high of sh341.8b in the last four years and nearly doubled compared to last FY 2019/20.

This is mainly attributed to strong emphasis to compliance to international standards by the authority and also the penetration of the Algerian market. Total milk products valued at sh12.075bn were imported.

“The country had a positive balance of trade since the value of milk products exports continue to significantly outperform the imports. Dairy exports contributed to 42 percent of total agricultural exports for the year,” the report says.

At the lower end of the dairy value chain, milk production volume estimates reached 2.81 billion litres short of the target of 3.0 billion litres.

Despite the slow estimated growth in milk volumes, farmers enjoyed significantly high farm gate prices compared to the previous period. Average national farm gate milk prices increased to sh1,072 per litres compared to sh984 in the FY 2019/20. Retail prices also bounced back high in FY 2020/21 to sh1,603 at the end of July, 2021.

In the last year however, prolonged dry spells affecting natural pastures was experienced in the North East and Northern, meanwhile with the Covid-19 pandemic measures disrupted milk productivity in the South West, Midwest and Central milk sheds.

Dairy equipment valued at  18.959 were imported in the country. This equipment included Dairy machinery, [arts of milking machines and dairy machinery, milking machines, refrigerating or freezing equipment.