Published: 21 May 2025

Zimbabwe's tobacco industry has generated US$678,3 million since the beginning of the 2025 marketing season on March 5, following the sale of 220,6 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco through both contract and auction floors. This represents a significant 21 percent increase compared to the US$559,7 million earned from 159,3 million kilogrammes sold during the same period last year.

Tobacco continues to play a vital role in Zimbabwe's economy, maintaining its position as the country's second-largest single export commodity after gold. Daily deliveries to auction floors have averaged around five million kilogrammes, reflecting the strong performance of the crop this season.

According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), by Day 51 of the selling season, contract growers had delivered 190,3 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$641,5 million. Meanwhile, 10,3 million kilogrammes were sold via auction floors, earning US$36,7 million. The highest price recorded at auction floors remains at US$4,99 per kilogramme, while contract sales have reached a peak of US$6,30 per kilogramme.

On the export front, Zimbabwe has shipped 56,7 million kilogrammes of semi-processed tobacco valued at US$350,6 million to various global markets, including the Far East, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The average export price has stood at US$6,18 per kilogramme. The Far East continues to lead as the top export destination, importing 31,8 million kilogrammes of tobacco worth US$250,6 million at an average price of US$7,88 per kilogramme.

Other markets have also contributed to the export success. African countries purchased 10,2 million kilogrammes worth US$44,8 million, with the Middle East importing 6,5 million kilogrammes valued at US$18,8 million. The European Union bought 4,9 million kilogrammes for US$26,8 million, while Europe outside the EU accounted for 714,800 kilogrammes worth US$1,6 million. Oceania, though importing only 28,560 kilogrammes, offered the highest average price of US$8,45 per kilogramme, with a total value of US$ 241,332.

The increase in both production and revenue is attributed to a combination of higher volumes, improved quality, and the geographic expansion of tobacco cultivation. Tobacco farming has spread beyond its traditional strongholds of Manicaland and Mashonaland provinces, with regions such as Marula in Matabeleland South now entering the market. There are currently more than 134,000 registered growers for the 2024/25 season.

Timb's Public Affairs Officer, Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe, said the current growth reflects the sector's transformation over recent years. She noted that for two consecutive seasons, tobacco has been successfully grown in Matabeleland South, a development that marks a significant milestone in decentralising production and promoting inclusive development. She announced that the first sale of Naturally Cured Virginia (NCV) tobacco in Matabeleland will take place on Thursday at the Atlas Agri contract floor in Marula.

Mrs Tsarwe also emphasized that Zimbabwean tobacco continues to attract competitive international buyers due to its improved quality. She reaffirmed TIMB's commitment to enhancing transparency and efficiency across the tobacco value chain, ensuring that the industry remains viable, inclusive, and internationally competitive.

With strong performance on both the domestic and export fronts, Zimbabwe's tobacco sector is poised to remain a key driver of economic growth and rural empowerment.
- the herald

You might also want to read this

• Zimbabwe inches closer to 300m kg tobacco milestone
• China leads in Zimbabwe tobacco imports
• Zimbabwe, Philippines forge tobacco pact
• Tobacco crop faces new disease threat
• Tobacco crop under threat from fungal disease
• Tobacco farming expands to Matebeleland South
• Zimbabwe-China tobacco expo to be held in third quarter
• Tobacco seed sales decline 20%
• Tobacco farmers protest against buyer
• Zimbabwe tobacco sales drop 44%