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Tanzania cuts dairy imports as local production rises
What you need to know:
- The number of import permits issued fell from 782 valued at Sh23.42 billion to 630 worth Sh22.97 billion.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s import of dairy products has dropped by 1,657,372 litres—from 11,747,140 litres in the 2023/24 financial year to 10,089,768 litres in 2024/25—as the government intensifies efforts to boost local production and reduce reliance on imports.
Livestock and Fisheries Minister, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, told Parliament recently that the number of import permits issued fell from 782 valued at Sh23.42 billion to 630 worth Sh22.97 billion.
“This decline in dairy imports comes amid government initiatives to create a more enabling environment for the domestic private sector, allowing local processors to scale up production. A notable example is ASAS Dairies Processing Plant, which has recently begun producing powdered milk with a daily processing capacity of 100,000 litres,” she said.
She noted that the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, through the Tanzania Dairy Board (TDB), has maintained strong oversight of the sector.
Dr Kijaji said that during the same period, 90.4 million litres of dairy products, worth Sh226 billion, were processed and sold within domestic markets.
“Improved trade in livestock products has positively impacted consumption. Per capita milk intake rose from 67.5 litres in 2023/24 to 68.1 litres in 2024/25, while meat consumption increased from 16 kilogrammes to 17.6 kilogrammes per person,” she said.
Despite the upward trend, she noted that current consumption levels remain below the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations’ recommendations of 200 litres of milk and 50 kilogrammes of meat per person annually.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s fishery sector continues to post a strong performance, with export volumes increasing significantly.
“By April 2025, the country had exported 44,317.78 tonnes of fishery products and 176,009 live ornamental fish, earning Sh527.88 billion, while the government collected Sh15.53 billion in royalties,” said Dr Kijaji.
She said the figures represent a 7.38 percent increase in export volume compared to the same period in the previous financial year, when 41,271.07 tonnes of fishery products and 134,572 live ornamental fish were exported, earning Sh515.78 billion in revenue and Sh14.45 billion in royalties.
“The sector continues to perform well both locally and internationally,” she said, underscoring the growing importance of fisheries as a source of export revenue and employment.
Despite growth in exports, fish imports surged in 2024/25, reaching 89.78 tonnes valued at Sh514.05 million and generating Sh164.38 million in royalties.
This marks a significant increase from 12.90 tonnes imported in 2023/24, valued at Sh252.41 million and generating royalties of Sh46.85 million.
The 595.97 percent increase in imported fish may reflect rising demand for species not readily available locally or temporary supply shortages.
Overall, the government’s efforts are yielding results, with Tanzania reducing dependency on imported dairy while strengthening its regional position in the fisheries sector.
