Harare, (New Ziana) – Zimbabwean tobacco farmers have achieved a new production milestone, with output reaching 306.2 million kilograms, surpassing the previous record of 296 million kilograms set in 2023.

The increase in output is attributed to expanded plantings, with 125 000 hectares cultivated during the past season, up from 113 000 hectares the year before, with smallholder farmers the driving force behind the growth, accounting for 85 percent of the total crop.

According to figures that the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) released on Friday for day 73 of the marketing season, tobacco sales have so far generated US$1 billion, with the crop selling at an average price of US$3.36 per kilogram.

By comparison, during the same period last year, 210.4 million kilograms of the golden leaf had been sold, generating US$726.2 million.

Last year, Zimbabwe exported 234 million kilograms of tobacco, reinforcing the position of the crop as the country’s largest agricultural export and a vital source of foreign currency.

Zimbabwean tobacco is exported to several regions, including the Far East, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

New Ziana