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Oliver Kazunga Business Reporter
CHINA has regained the top position as the major importer of Zimbabwe’s flue-cured tobacco buying 46.6 million kilogrammes worth $359.3 million since the beginning of the year.
Statistics released by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board showed that as of 16 November, the Asian country had taken over the top spot from South Africa, which was leading as the major consumer of the golden leaf from the country since the beginning of the year.
China bought flue-cured Zimbabwean tobacco at an average price of $7.76 a kg.
South Africa has slipped to third on the top importers list with Belgium now second.
Belgium has spent $113.5 million on 22 million kg at an average price of $5.15 a kg.
South Africa imported 16.7 million kg worth $56.4 million.
Sudan and the United Arab Emirates were on fourth and fifth positions importing 5.9 million kg and 5.3 million kg respectively.
TIMB also revealed that a total of 129.8 million kg of the golden leaf valued at $718.6 million had also been exported to different countries around the world at an average price of $5.54 a kg.
In 2012, Zimbabwe earned more than $750 million in tobacco exports receipts, a development that saw the agriculture industry becoming one of the major sectors anchoring the economy.
Meanwhile, 83 967 growers from different parts of the country including Matabeleland have registered to grow the cash crop in the 2013/14 farming season.
During the same period last year, 62 405 growers had registered to grow tobacco.
It has been noted that because of lucrative returns, more farmers especially in cotton growing areas like Gokwe were abandoning the cotton sector preferring tobacco farming
Online Reporter