Bulawayo24 News - Skyes! "it makes perfect sense"

New tobacco grading system on the cards

A key committee within Zimbabwe's tobacco industry has proposed a revamp of the country's tobacco grading system aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and fairness. The initiative seeks to simplify the current classification, wh…

Published: 17 Sep 2025 at 08:59hrs | 31 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's tobacco farmers trapped in debt

Zimbabwe's tobacco industry has continued to record impressive export earnings, with revenues approaching US$1 billion in 2024. However, behind the success story, many smallholder farmers say they are sinking deeper into debt and poverty.T…

Published: 02 Sep 2025 at 06:35hrs | 86 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco producer seeks ban on public smoking

The Zimbabwean Parliament is considering a proposal to amend existing tobacco control regulations to ban smoking in high-traffic public areas, amid growing concerns over the health risks associated with passive smoking.Shamva South legisla…

Published: 25 Aug 2025 at 05:59hrs | 302 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's broken railways threaten lithium, tobacco exports

Zimbabwe's crumbling railway system, once the backbone of the economy, has become a major obstacle to growth, inflating transport costs, stifling exports, and threatening emerging sectors such as lithium and tobacco, economist Eddie Cross …

Published: 16 Aug 2025 at 13:33hrs | 373 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's tobacco marketing season ends

The 2025 tobacco marketing season officially came to a close yesterday, marking a historic milestone for Zimbabwe's agricultural sector as the country posted record-breaking output and earnings. While contract sales will continue, attentio…

Published: 07 Aug 2025 at 17:12hrs | 150 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe tobacco farmers demand indigenous tobacco policy

The government has been urged to develop an indigenous tobacco policy aimed at promoting production and supporting farmers who form the backbone of Zimbabwe's golden leaf sector.Speaking at a recent conference in Harare, Zimbabwe Progressi…

Published: 05 Aug 2025 at 08:41hrs | 102 | by Staff reporter

Smuggled Zambian tobacco seeds raise alarm in Zimbabwe

Tobacco industry stakeholders in Zimbabwe have sounded the alarm over a surge in cheap, low-quality tobacco seeds allegedly smuggled from Zambia, warning that the influx threatens to erode the country's reputation as a top producer of prem…

Published: 31 Jul 2025 at 08:18hrs | 131 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco, gold dominate Zimbabwe's exports

Zimbabwe's export economy remains firmly anchored in its traditional staples of tobacco and gold, while imports are still dominated by fuel, vehicles, and machinery, according to the latest Trade and Price Statistics Report for July 2025 r…

Published: 29 Jul 2025 at 18:26hrs | 192 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's shisha tobacco sales top 400,000kg

At least 401,705 kilogrammes of shisha tobacco, valued at approximately US$13 million, have been sold since the opening of the marketing season, signalling rising global demand for the specialised tobacco variety.Unlike traditional flue-cu…

Published: 15 Jul 2025 at 08:30hrs | 299 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe pupils learning in tobacco barns and fowl runs

A joint parliamentary committee has raised the alarm over the deplorable state of school infrastructure across Zimbabwe, revealing that some pupils are attending lessons in disused tobacco barns, fowl runs, and open spaces due to a chronic…

Published: 01 Jul 2025 at 12:37hrs | 178 | by Staff reporter

Thieves steal US$7,000 tobacco at farm

Police in Rusape have launched a manhunt for five armed robbers who attacked Riplemade Farm on Monday night and made off with 12 tobacco bales valued at US$7,039.The robbery, which occurred around 10pm, left a farm security guard injured a…

Published: 29 Jun 2025 at 18:52hrs | 330 | by Staff reporter

Chinehasha Agricultural Show - a show most people will remember for many years.

Chinehasha Agricultural Show roared into life on the 28th of June 2025. This year the show was far much bigger and better than last year with more exhibitors joining the annual event. In the Exhibition Hall were an array of quality agricul…

Published: 29 Jun 2025 at 18:35hrs | 147 | by Tondo Thomas Murisa Chinehasha

Zimbabwe sets new tobacco production record

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 2…

Published: 20 Jun 2025 at 17:46hrs | 154 | by Staff reporter

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…

Published: 10 Jun 2025 at 08:45hrs | 56 | by Staff reporter

Extended tobacco stalk destruction date expires

The grace period granted to tobacco farmers to clear their fields of tobacco stalks and roots ended on June 5, and the Government has now intensified monitoring efforts to enforce compliance, with defaulters facing fines and other penaltie…

Published: 09 Jun 2025 at 08:40hrs | 127 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe tobacco sales reach 88% of national target

A notable shift in Zimbabwe's tobacco marketing landscape is unfolding, with auction prices surpassing contract prices for 24 consecutive days, signaling potential cracks in the long-dominant contract farming model.Data released by the Tob…

Published: 06 Jun 2025 at 09:42hrs | 131 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's tobacco marketing season booms

This year's tobacco marketing season is demonstrating remarkable stability and prosperity, creating an encouraging environment for Zimbabwean farmers as prices at auction floors remain robust.Auction floors across the country are bustling …

Published: 05 Jun 2025 at 10:05hrs | 78 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco exports reach US$381 million

Zimbabwe has earned US$381 million from tobacco exports so far this year, as the country intensifies efforts to increase value addition and beneficiation in its lucrative tobacco sector.According to the latest figures from the Tobacco Indu…

Published: 03 Jun 2025 at 09:27hrs | 88 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe tobacco sales hit US$800 million

Zimbabwe's tobacco earnings have soared to over US$800 million since the start of the 2025 marketing season in March, reflecting a strong rebound in output and continued global demand for the golden leaf.According to the latest figures rel…

Published: 31 May 2025 at 13:48hrs | 132 | by Staff reporter

Changaz hosts Macheso and Chipanga

Centenary businessman Zacharia "Changaz" Five is hosting King of Sungura Alick Macheso and Hosia Chipanga on Friday.The much-anticipated show is expected to be filled with tobacco farmers and artisanal miners who missed the duo for a year.…

Published: 29 May 2025 at 19:59hrs | 482 | by Simbarashe Sithole

First-ever Matebeleland South tobacco auction opens

In a major milestone for Matebeleland South's agricultural sector, the first-ever Naturally Cured Virginia (NCV) tobacco auction floor has opened in Marula, Mangwe District. The historic development marks a turning point in decentralising …

Published: 24 May 2025 at 11:04hrs | 596 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco crop under threat from fungal disease

Zimbabwe's tobacco farmers are facing a major crisis as a destructive fungal disease, Fusarium Wilt and Root Rot (FWRR), spreads across fields, threatening the country's lucrative tobacco industry.Farmers say they are ill-equipped to comba…

Published: 25 Apr 2025 at 07:24hrs | 85 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco farming expands to Matebeleland South

Zimbabwe's tobacco sector is seeing renewed growth in previously untapped regions, with Matebeleland South emerging as a promising new frontier for the country's second-largest foreign currency earner. In Marula, Mangwe District, 122 small…

Published: 24 Apr 2025 at 07:09hrs | 227 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco sales rake in US$279m

Zimbabwean tobacco farmers have earned US$279 million from the sale of 81.3 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco so far this season, as the industry intensifies efforts to locally process at least 30 percent of the crop to boost earni…

Published: 22 Apr 2025 at 07:36hrs | 48 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe-China tobacco expo to be held in third quarter

ZIMBABWE will hold the first Zimbabwe-China tobacco expo in the third quarter of this year to promote the country's tobacco, the country's industry regulatory body, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), announced Friday.The expo…

Published: 13 Apr 2025 at 09:35hrs | 49 | by Staff reporter

Shun Sidemarketing, tobacco farmers warned

Contracted tobacco farmers have been warned to shun side marketing by senior agronomist Lazarus Gatawa while urging them to fulfill their contractual obligations and deliver all their crops to the merchant who contracted them and avoid con…

Published: 10 Mar 2025 at 12:16hrs | 189 | by Simbarashe Sithole

Zimbabwe's tobacco export earnings reach US$1.3 billion in 2024

Zimbabwe's tobacco export earnings reached US$1.3 billion in 2024, a notable increase from US$1.23 billion in 2023, marking the second consecutive year that earnings have surpassed the US$1 billion mark. This growth is attributed to streng…

Published: 16 Jan 2025 at 07:12hrs | 2 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's tobacco sector showing signs of robust recovery

Zimbabwe's tobacco sector is showing signs of a robust recovery, with an 8% increase in registered growers for the 2024/2025 summer cropping season. As of November 15, 2024, 120,983 farmers have registered, compared to 112,445 in the previ…

Published: 24 Nov 2024 at 09:55hrs | 145 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe farmers push for localisation of tobacco beneficiation

The Tobacco Farmers Union Trust (TFUT) is calling for the localisation of tobacco beneficiation to help mitigate losses caused by adverse weather conditions and soaring production costs in Zimbabwe's lucrative tobacco sector. The appeal fo…

Published: 28 Oct 2024 at 07:09hrs | 248 | by Staff reporter

US$15 for five bales of tobacco, a smallholder tobacco farmer's tale

Smallholder tobacco farmers are reeling under the yoke of high-interest loans, amid shocking revelations one of the farmers received a pay-out of US$15 after selling five bales of tobacco at the contract floors.Searching for answers where …

Published: 27 Mar 2024 at 08:49hrs | 73 | by Erick Matotoba

Side-marketing a big threat to tobacco contracting companies

With tobacco auction floors opening this week senior agronomist Lazarus  Gatawa has urged all tobacco farmers who are contracted to honor their contractual obligations and deliver all their crop to the merchant who contracted them and…

Published: 10 Mar 2024 at 07:10hrs | 42 | by Simbarashe Sithole

Zimbabwe tobacco auction floors open in March

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has said auction floors are set to open next month encouraging tobacco stakeholders to fully utilise the TIMB booking system. In a notice to stakeholders, TIMB said "All stakeholders are…

Published: 08 Feb 2024 at 04:53hrs | 54 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco output to dip as registered growers decline by 24%

The registered count of tobacco growers has seen a notable decrease of 24% compared to the corresponding period last year, indicating a potential reduction in yields for the upcoming season.Tobacco, a crucial foreign currency generator and…

Published: 13 Jan 2024 at 06:52hrs | 16 | by Staff reporter

Minerals, tobacco dominate Zimbabwe's export list

In the third quarter of the year, Zimbabwe's export landscape continued to be dominated by raw minerals and tobacco, as outlined in the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's (RBZ) third-quarter report.According to the central bank's report, gold emer…

Published: 27 Dec 2023 at 15:09hrs | 14 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco smuggling between Zimbabwe - SA now security threat

SOUTH Africa is drowning in illicit cigarette smuggling which has seen the neighbouring country losing at least R50 million (US$2.6 million) daily in potential revenue from well-coordinated syndicates involving high-profile politicians and…

Published: 09 Oct 2023 at 13:49hrs | 538 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe records its best ever tobacco sales

The curtain finally comes down on the 2023 tobacco marketing season after nearly four months of record sales with the official closing ceremony now set for 31 July.In a statement on Monday, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) s…

Published: 24 Jul 2023 at 19:44hrs | 25 | by Staff reporter

Huge progress as tobacco sales hit over US$800m

Over 270 million kg of tobacco worth US$817 million have been sold at the auction and contract floors since the beginning of the marketing season in March, with a lot of money flowing into the tobacco farming areas.This year farmers had a …

Published: 22 Jun 2023 at 06:35hrs | 2 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe records highest tobacco output in 198 years

Zimbabwe has recorded the highest tobacco output in its 198 years of growing the crop.The milestone follows another agriculture success story that resulted in last year's wheat output being the highest since 1966.nting a post-Cabinet media…

Published: 15 Jun 2023 at 06:46hrs | 3 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco auction floors open tomorrow

Tobacco farmers have started delivering their crop ahead of the marketing season which opens tomorrow at auction floors with the official ceremony at Tobacco Sales Floor.Deliveries for the far larger contract crop starts on Thursday, a day…

Published: 07 Mar 2023 at 05:23hrs | 138 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco sales rake in US$650,3 million

ZIMBABWE has realised US$650,3 million from tobacco sales this year, up 10,3% compared to last year, statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show.Last year, the southern African country earned US$589,6 million from …

Published: 27 Oct 2022 at 06:13hrs | 2 | by Staff reporter

South African police crackdown on tobacco crime

Police in South Africa's Limpopo province has intensified their crackdown on the smuggling of cigarettes between the neighbouring country and Zimbabwe.Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said they were not re…

Published: 04 Oct 2022 at 06:04hrs | | by Staff reporter

Global demand buoys tobacco prices

THE rising global demand for flue-cured tobacco has buoyed the firming of local golden leaf prices this season compared to last year.According to latest figures from a Germany company specialising in market and consumer data, Statista, Zim…

Published: 09 Apr 2022 at 08:30hrs | 4 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco marketing season starts today

This year's tobacco marketing season kicks off today with the usual ceremony this morning at the Tobacco Sales Floor opening the auction sales with the contract floors, which will handle 95 percent of the crop, opening tomorrow.Lower volum…

Published: 30 Mar 2022 at 07:13hrs | 4 | by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's tobacco auction floors ready for opening

Tobacco auction floors are ready for the opening of the marketing season on March 30. Farmers are expected to start delivering the crop next Wednesday. Yesterday, all the three auction floors; Tobacco Sales Floor, Boka Tobacco Floors and P…

Published: 18 Mar 2022 at 05:26hrs | 28 | by Staff reporter

Taming inflation is an arduous task

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) pointed that year on year (annual) inflation rate marginally increased to 51.55% in September 2021 from 50.24% in August 2021 after 8 months of straight decline from 363% recorded in Januar…

Published: 06 Oct 2021 at 09:13hrs | 13 | by Victor Bhoroma

Economy snuffs out Zimbabwe smokers' income

Zimbabwean smokers lit up 8% fewer cigarettes this year, and the biggest drop is in the cheapest brands, as the economy snuffs out incomes.BAT, the country's biggest cigarette maker, saw sales of most of its brands fall in the nine months …

Published: 06 Nov 2020 at 06:39hrs | 2 | by Staff reporter

Tobacco farmer falls off moving truck, dies

A MVURWI farmer, who had been perched atop bales of tobacco in a moving truck, fell off the bales and died instantly in Concession on Friday morning .Tonderai Madamombe (35) of Galloway Farm in Mvurwi, died after the truck he was travellin…

Published: 04 Jun 2019 at 07:18hrs | | by Staff reporter

Tobacco sales proceeds are not for harlots

Now that the tobacco selling season has been opened, some urban yellow-bone thigh vendors are buying bigger wallets and fine tuning their 'horizontal wrestling' skills in order to wrench a dollar or two from a few gullible tobacco farmers.…

Published: 21 Mar 2019 at 19:06hrs | 263 | by Thomas Murisa

Land Audit: A true test of national empathy

The ongoing land audit breathes a new ray of hope to landless masses who hope to chance their first immovable property in a landmass collectively owned by all daughters and sons of the soil, Zimbabwe. The setting up and operationalization …

Published: 25 Feb 2019 at 12:55hrs | 1 | by Chigumbu Warikandwa

Zimbabwe should start embracing agrobusiness as priority of turning around the economy

Agriculture have to be in the centre stage in plans for the revival of Zimbabwe's ailing economy. Getting agriculture moving in Zimbabwe is a big task. The radical land reform of 2000 has left many outstanding challenges; not least the imp…

Published: 15 Nov 2018 at 14:02hrs | | by Enos Denhere

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