The data indicates that the whole fresh cow milk producing population in South Africa was 859.0 thousand heads in 2023. Over the last two years, we observed a decrease of 0.68% year-on-year in 2023 and a decrease of 0.69% in the previous year. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years shows an average yearly decline of 2.99%. Forecasts suggest a continued decline with a projected CAGR of -0.52% over the next five years, leading to a forecasted population of 831.16 thousand heads by 2028.
Key future trends to watch for include potential impacts of climate change on feed availability, market demand shifts for dairy products, and policy changes affecting the dairy industry. Monitoring these factors will be crucial for anticipating future changes in the cow milk producing population in South Africa.
