Harare, (New Ziana)- Tobacco exports have generated more than US$534 million from the sale of at least 97 million kilograms of the crop since the marketing season opened on March 5 this year, the industry regulator has said.
During the same period last year, the total value of tobacco exports were worth $600 million from the export of 117 million kg of the crop.
According to weekly data that the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board released, the major buyers came from the Far East while African buyers were in second place after importing 20.2 million kg.
TIMB said the European Union took fourth place after buying 10.2 million kg of tobacco worth $50 million from Zimbabwe.
At least 4.1 million kg of Zimbabwean tobacco valued at $15.6 million was also exported to the Americas.
The bulk of the tobacco is however exported in its raw form although authorities are pushing for value addition.
New Ziana
