News / Agriculture
Zimbabwe tobacco exports rake in US$1 billion
23 Nov 2023 at 00:35hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE'S tobacco export earnings have increased by 43% to US$1,09 billion this year from US$766,6 million last season as the golden leaf retains its lustre, latest figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) reveal.
In a weekly report ending November 17, the TIMB said Zimbabwe had exported 209 531 468 kilogrammes of the golden leaf valued at US$1,099 billion. The average price for the period was US$5,25 per kg.
In 2022, Zimbabwe exported a total of 160 743 148 million kg, generating US$766,6 million at an average price of US$4,77 per kg.
The golden leaf is the country's largest agricultural commodity export earner while being the second largest export commodity after gold.
According to TIMB, countries in the Far East bought 98 644 363kg valued at US$706,3 million at an average price of US$7,16 a kg, a sharp increase compared to last year 65 504 322kg was exported at an average price of US$6,97 per kg reaching US$456,4 million.
Exports to Africa totalled 37 610 532kg valued at US$129,9 million at an average price of US$3,45 a kg, while exports within the continent over the same period last year stood at 32 882 415kg valued at US$97,9 million at an average price of US$2,98 per kg.
TIMB indicated that the golden leaf from Zimbabwe is also being exported to the European Union, Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere said over 30 000 hectares of tobacco had been planted to date.
Zimbabwe, which is the largest producer of tobacco in Africa and the sixth biggest globally, is aiming to turn tobacco farming into a US$5 billion industry by 2025.
In a weekly report ending November 17, the TIMB said Zimbabwe had exported 209 531 468 kilogrammes of the golden leaf valued at US$1,099 billion. The average price for the period was US$5,25 per kg.
In 2022, Zimbabwe exported a total of 160 743 148 million kg, generating US$766,6 million at an average price of US$4,77 per kg.
The golden leaf is the country's largest agricultural commodity export earner while being the second largest export commodity after gold.
Exports to Africa totalled 37 610 532kg valued at US$129,9 million at an average price of US$3,45 a kg, while exports within the continent over the same period last year stood at 32 882 415kg valued at US$97,9 million at an average price of US$2,98 per kg.
TIMB indicated that the golden leaf from Zimbabwe is also being exported to the European Union, Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Jenfan Muswere said over 30 000 hectares of tobacco had been planted to date.
Zimbabwe, which is the largest producer of tobacco in Africa and the sixth biggest globally, is aiming to turn tobacco farming into a US$5 billion industry by 2025.
Source - newsday
