Tobacco Sales Up 53% as Grain Deliveries Improve

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has recorded strong performance across key crops, with tobacco sales surging by 53 percent and the Grain Marketing Board reporting increased deliveries of maize, soya beans, sorghum, wheat, and sunflower.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka said the country’s food balance sheet showed that national grain stocks were adequate, despite localized shortages in some areas.

“The assessment conducted in April 2025 indicated that Zimbabwe has sufficient grain at the national level,” said Dr. Masuka.
“Government has already disbursed 30 metric tonnes of grain to the San community in Tsholotsho to cushion against localized shortages.”

He revealed that a total of 272,870 metric tonnes of grains and oilseeds had been marketed formally, while GMB’s intake rose significantly from 12.8 percent to 21.6 percent. The Strategic Grain Reserve now holds 133,115 metric tonnes.

“To ease deliveries, GMB has opened 1,804 mobile grain collection centres across all wards,” said Dr. Masuka.

“Farmers under the Presidential Input Scheme are also delivering 10kg of grain per household as a gesture of gratitude for last year’s food assistance.”

The minister said the cotton marketing season, which began on July 24, had already recorded 27.9 million kilogrammes sold to six contractors.

“Tobacco sales reached a record 354.4 million kilogrammes by August 18, 2025, compared to 231 million kilogrammes during the same period last year. This represents a 53.07 percent increase,” he said.

“Seed sales are also 12 percent higher compared to 2024, setting the stage for our 2025/26 target of 360 million kilogrammes.”

For the 2025 Winter Cereals Plan, Dr. Masuka said Zimbabwe had targeted 135,500 hectares under production, comprising 120,000ha of wheat, 6,500ha of barley, and 9,000ha of potatoes, with an estimated wheat output of 600,000 metric tonnes.

“Quelea bird surveillance is ongoing in all provinces, and we have enough manpower, vehicles, sprayers, and chemicals to respond to any outbreak,” he said.

Dr. Masuka emphasized that the latest figures demonstrated resilience in the agricultural sector and underscored government’s commitment to food security and export growth.