Source: Tobacco exports earn Zimbabwe US$536m – herald
Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe has earned US$536 million from the export of 81 million kilogrammes of tobacco year to date, as the country continues to shift towards the shipment of value-added products of the crop.
During the same period last year, merchants had exported 49,7 million valued at US$319, 2 million.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board indicated that the Far East bought the bulk of the semi-processed tobacco and also offered the highest price.
According to the statistics, 47,9 million kg of tobacco have been exported to the Far East at an average price of US$8.18per kg. Zimbabwe has earned US$ 392 million from the exports.
Africa was the second largest export destination after importing 12,6 million kg of tobacco worth US$ 64 million at an average price of US$5,07 per kg.
The Middle East bought 6 million kg worth US$ 18.1 million while Europe and the European union imported 5,6 million and 5,6 million kg valued at US$ 31,9 million and US$20,8 million, respectively.
The country exported 3,6 million kg worth of tobacco US$8,8 million to the Americas at an average price of US$2,41 per kg.
Zimbabwe exports its semi-processed tobacco to different destinations that include the Far East, the European Union, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Oceania.
Zimbabwe used to be a net exporter of tobacco, but the country has seen an increase in domestic cigarette production and export of finished products.
TIMB has always emphasised developing good brands for the market.
Tobacco growers are also producing cigar wrapper tobacco in Burma Valley and exporting it.
Zimbabwe is one of the largest tobacco producers globally, a top ranking it has earned through the efforts over 140 000 farmers and the resilience of all value chain players.
Zimbabwe achieved a historic record in the 2025 tobacco marketing season, selling 354.8 million kg of leaf, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) and Xinhua news reports.
This output represented a 53 percent surge over 2024, generating about US$1.2 billion in revenue, driven by increased farming, high-quality output from smallholders and strong demand from China.
Zimbabwe’s 2026 tobacco production target is projected to reach 400 million kilograms. The 2026 marketing season, which is underway, is underpinned by a 15 percent increase in planting area, reaching 164 536 hectares.
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