Preparations for 2025/26 tobacco season underway

Zimbabwe's tobacco farmers have begun sowing seedbeds for the 2025/26 irrigated crop, with seed sales starting to pick up despite a slower start compared to the same period last year.

According to Kutsaga Research, farmers had purchased 482,565 grammes of seed as of yesterday, enough to plant 96,513 hectares. This is slightly below last year's figure of 489,990 grammes for 97,998 hectares, but industry experts expect sales to intensify in the coming weeks.

The slight dip in early seed uptake is being linked to delays in harvesting caused by late rains during the 2024 planting season. As a result, many farmers are still reaping, curing, grading, and baling the current crop, which has pushed back preparations for the next cycle.

Kutsaga Research spokesperson Mr Tatenda Mugabe said there was renewed momentum among farmers as the season advances. "Some farmers are still reaping, while the majority are busy grading and baling for delivery to auctions. Sales have started to surge this month as farmers prepare for the July 1 dryland tobacco season," he said.

Mr Mugabe added that Zimbabwe had sufficient seed stocks to last up to five years, eliminating fears of any shortages.

Mr Edward Dune, president of the Tobacco Farmers Union Trust, confirmed that sowing was underway among irrigating farmers. "June 1 is the stipulated earliest date for planting, so it's business as usual. The union is working closely with the plant quarantine branch to maintain pest and disease control across the country," he said.

The tobacco sector continues to show strong growth. As of day 63 of the marketing season, farmers had sold 269 million kilogrammes of tobacco, valued at US$904 million. This marks a 41 percent increase from the same period last year, where 191 million kg worth US$664 million had been sold. The industry remains confident it will meet its 300 million kg target.

Despite the overall progress, some farmers have raised concerns over delayed payments by contractors, an issue that authorities and stakeholders are working to resolve.

Tobacco production has expanded significantly in recent years, driven by favourable prices, orderly marketing, and strong support for communal and A1 farmers. The number of growers has now surpassed 140,000, up from a few thousand a decade ago.

Notably, Matabeleland South has joined traditional tobacco-growing provinces such as Manicaland, Midlands, and Mashonaland, thanks to decentralisation efforts that are spreading income-generating opportunities to new areas.

In collaboration with the Government and the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), industry stakeholders have intensified efforts to ensure sustainable production, compliance with regulations, and adherence to good agricultural labour practices.

Training initiatives are also helping to improve the quality and yield of the crop, equipping farmers with vital skills in growing, curing, and handling tobacco.

With preparations advancing and the current crop fetching strong prices, Zimbabwe's tobacco industry appears poised for yet another successful season.