ZIMBABWE’S tobacco export earnings reached US$1,3 billion in 2024, up from US$1,23 billion in 2023, marking the second consecutive year that earnings surpassed the US$1 billion mark.
The growth was driven by strengthening global prices and rising demand for the country’s flue-cured tobacco.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), 243,3 million kilogrammes of tobacco had been exported by December 27, generating US$1,39 billion.
This compares favourably to the 235,4 million kilogrammes worth US$1,23 billion exported during the same period in 2023.
TIMB public affairs officer Chelesani Tsarwe said Zimbabwe’s tobacco was shipped to over 52 destinations worldwide.
“The unique flavour of Zimbabwe’s flue-cured tobacco remains highly sought-after in international markets, particularly in Far Eastern countries such as China and South Korea as well as in the Middle East,” Tsarwe said.
The rising prices of tobacco have sparked increased interest among farmers, evidenced by a 30% surge in seed sales this year.
Predictions of normal to above-normal rainfall for the 2024/25 cropping season have further fuelled optimism in the sector.
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By late 2023, 95 375 farmers had registered with TIMB, up from 69 640 in the previous year.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union chief economist Prince Kuipa said the volumes produced under very difficult conditions were impressive.
“The majority of tobacco growers are smallholder farmers who were allocated land under Zimbabwe’s land reform programme,” he said.
“Despite limited access to advanced farming equipment and financial resources, these farmers continue to perform remarkably, even amid challenges like droughts.
“Although the El Niño-induced drought affected most rainfed crops in 2024, Zimbabwe managed to maintain a strong tobacco output, underscoring the crop’s resilience.”
Kuipa highlighted the crop’s economic importance, noting that revenue from tobacco exports contributes significantly to Zimbabwe’s foreign currency earnings.
