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Zimbabwe sets new tobacco production record
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Zimbabwean tobacco farmers have shattered previous production records, harvesting a staggering 306.2 million kilograms of the golden leaf this season - a new all-time high for the country. The achievement surpasses the previous record of 296 million kilograms set in 2023 and underscores the sector's growing importance to the national economy.
According to figures released by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) on Friday, the bumper harvest has so far generated US$1 billion in sales during the first 73 days of the 2025 marketing season. The average price per kilogram stands at US$3.36.
The increase in output has been largely driven by an expansion in land under cultivation, with 125,000 hectares planted this past season compared to 113,000 hectares the previous year. Smallholder farmers - long the backbone of Zimbabwe's tobacco resurgence - contributed 85 percent of the total crop.
"This milestone is a testament to the resilience and commitment of our farmers, particularly the small-scale producers who continue to drive the sector's growth," said a TIMB spokesperson. "Tobacco remains a key pillar of our economy, and the momentum we're seeing in 2025 is encouraging."
By the same time last year, 210.4 million kilograms had been sold, earning the country US$726.2 million. This year's figures represent a sharp increase both in volume and value, reflecting favourable growing conditions, strategic support to farmers, and strong international demand.
Tobacco remains Zimbabwe's largest agricultural export and a vital source of foreign currency, especially as the country works to stabilise its economy and address persistent trade deficits.
In 2024, Zimbabwe exported 234 million kilograms of tobacco to a diverse range of markets, including the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, and other African nations. The continued expansion of global trade networks and improved processing infrastructure are expected to further strengthen the industry's export performance.
Government and industry stakeholders have credited the record-breaking season to targeted input support, decentralised marketing systems, and farmer training programmes aimed at improving yields and quality.
As the marketing season continues, Zimbabwe is poised to maintain its upward trajectory in tobacco production, offering renewed hope for rural incomes, export earnings, and the revitalisation of the broader agricultural sector.
According to figures released by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) on Friday, the bumper harvest has so far generated US$1 billion in sales during the first 73 days of the 2025 marketing season. The average price per kilogram stands at US$3.36.
The increase in output has been largely driven by an expansion in land under cultivation, with 125,000 hectares planted this past season compared to 113,000 hectares the previous year. Smallholder farmers - long the backbone of Zimbabwe's tobacco resurgence - contributed 85 percent of the total crop.
"This milestone is a testament to the resilience and commitment of our farmers, particularly the small-scale producers who continue to drive the sector's growth," said a TIMB spokesperson. "Tobacco remains a key pillar of our economy, and the momentum we're seeing in 2025 is encouraging."
By the same time last year, 210.4 million kilograms had been sold, earning the country US$726.2 million. This year's figures represent a sharp increase both in volume and value, reflecting favourable growing conditions, strategic support to farmers, and strong international demand.
Tobacco remains Zimbabwe's largest agricultural export and a vital source of foreign currency, especially as the country works to stabilise its economy and address persistent trade deficits.
In 2024, Zimbabwe exported 234 million kilograms of tobacco to a diverse range of markets, including the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, and other African nations. The continued expansion of global trade networks and improved processing infrastructure are expected to further strengthen the industry's export performance.
Government and industry stakeholders have credited the record-breaking season to targeted input support, decentralised marketing systems, and farmer training programmes aimed at improving yields and quality.
As the marketing season continues, Zimbabwe is poised to maintain its upward trajectory in tobacco production, offering renewed hope for rural incomes, export earnings, and the revitalisation of the broader agricultural sector.
Source - New Ziana
