Published: 17 February 2015

Zimbabwe's tobacco exports for the period 1 January to 13 February 2015 reached $193,8 million up from only $36,4 million recorded during the same time last year.

According to figures from the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, more than 27 million killogrammes were sold at an average price of $7, 19 compared to 10, 5 million killogrammes sold at $3,47 in the previous year.

China has taken up more than 19,1 million kgs worth $166,5 million at $8,72 per kg up from 1,6 million kgs worth $12,5 million at $7.76 per kg in the same period last year.

Sales to South Africa went up to 2,06 million kgs valued at $7.9 million from 931 162 kgs worth $3,9 million sold last year. Mauritius rose into the top five buyers of Zimbabwe's tobacco taking up 936 000 kgs in the review period worth $3,4 million at $3,67 per kg.

Other countries that have bought significant quantities of the golden leaf in the period under review include Russia, United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Tanzania.

TIMB said the total number of growers that have registered for the 2015 season in the period under review has gone down to 89 012 from 89 624 in the previous year.

New registration for 2015 stand at 16 585 while about 26 113 growers who sold their crop in 2014 have not yet registered for 2015 season. The 2015 marketing season is expected to begin on March 4 this year at auction floors.
- BH24

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