Published: 21 August 2017

Zimbabwe has so far exported 79 million kilogrammes of tobacco, up from 61, 5 million kgs exported in the prior comparable period last year, statistics that the industry regulator released show.

In its weekly bulletin, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said revenue from tobacco exports for this year currently stand at $342, 9 million compared to $313, 1 million grossed during the same period last year.

The tobacco is being exported at an average price of $4.4 per kg.

China, South Africa, Belgium, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia have this year to date been the major buyers of the golden leaf.

A total of 58 countries have bought Zimbabwean tobacco this year, compared to 46 last year.

China remains the top destination for Zimbabwean tobacco, buying 16 million kg worth $129, 5 million at an average price of $8, 05 per kg.

The second largest buyer of Zimbabwean tobacco, South Africa, imported 10, 5 million kg valued at $26, 6 million while exports to Belgium were 8, 6 million kg valued at $20,4 million.

Meanwhile, tobacco sales are down 7.1 percent to 186.2 million kg worth 552, 8 million after heavy rains affected quantity and quality of the crop.

During the same period last year, slightly over 200 million kg of tobacco worth $590.4 million had been sold.

Tobacco auction sales were concluded last Friday while a few contractors are still buying the remaining crop from farmers that they contracted.

The country had anticipated at least 205 million kg of tobacco from the 2016/17 selling season.
- bh24

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