Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector is preparing for a breakthrough moment. The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will host the inaugural Zimbabwe–China Tobacco Expo from 16–17 October 2025 at Rainbow Towers, Harare, bringing together farmers, financiers, processors, and technology giants from the world’s largest tobacco producer and consumer.
China is not just a trading partner — it’s the market. The country accounts for nearly half of global cigarette production and buys about 39% of Zimbabwe’s total tobacco exports, worth over US $600 million annually. In 2025, Zimbabwe shipped more than 300 million kg of leaf, generating over US $1 billion in revenue — its best season on record.
For Zimbabwe, tapping deeper into China’s vast market and investment appetite could turn that success into a sustainable growth story. “The Expo is where our leaf meets its biggest future,” said TIMB CEO Emmanuel Matsvaire. “It’s a gateway for farmers and processors to connect directly with international buyers and technology partners shaping the next phase of the industry.”
Chinese companies have already become major players in Zimbabwe’s value chain — financing growers, supplying equipment, and introducing precision-farming and smart-curing technologies. The Expo will showcase tools built for smallholder efficiency, advanced irrigation systems, and processing equipment that can push local value addition beyond the current 2% of national output toward the government’s 30% target by 2025.
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“China brings scale; Zimbabwe brings quality,” said a senior TIMB official. “This platform aligns both.” The Zimbabwe–China Tobacco Expo is more than a showcase — it’s a signal that Zimbabwe is ready to trade, innovate, and invest at the same scale as its record harvests. “This isn’t just another fair,” Matsvaire added. “It’s Zimbabwe’s step into the global value chain on its own terms.”
Editor’s Note- This article is part of Zim Now’s ongoing coverage of Zimbabwe’s trade and investment landscape. While it features content supplied by the event organisers, Zim Now has verified the facts and contextual information independently to ensure accuracy and relevance to our readers.
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