Zimbabwe's tobacco industry eyes record harvest

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwe's tobacco industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, fueled by a significant increase in export volumes and robust farmer confidence. The nation's tobacco farmers are poised to shatter previous records, driven by surging seed sales and expanded planting areas.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, tobacco seed sales have skyrocketed by 45% compared to the same period last year. A total of 1,252,244 grams of tobacco seed has been sold so far, up from 865,708 grams in 2023. This surge in seed demand reflects increased farmer optimism and investments, indicative of a promising planting season.

The expanded planting area for the upcoming 2024/2025 season is another key factor contributing to the industry's growth. Farmers are expected to cultivate 208,707 hectares of land, a substantial increase from the 144,285 hectares covered last year. This expansion is likely to result in a record-breaking tobacco harvest for Zimbabwe.

Dr. Anxious Masuka, a leading agricultural expert, expressed his enthusiasm for the industry's prospects. "Tobacco farmers have shown great enthusiasm ahead of the upcoming season, and these figures suggest we could be looking at one of the largest tobacco productions in our history," he stated.

The industry's positive trajectory is also supported by favorable international market conditions. Zimbabwe's tobacco exports have already reached impressive levels, with 144 million kilograms sold thus far, generating an estimated US$760 million in revenue. This strong performance is attributed to increased demand and competitive pricing.

As the 2024/2025 season approaches, the Zimbabwean tobacco industry is well-positioned for continued growth. The combination of expanded planting areas, favorable market conditions, and increased farmer confidence suggests that the country's tobacco exports could reach even higher levels next year.