Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
Agriculture News Editor
THE 2026 auction tobacco marketing season will officially close on July 31, with Zimbabwe maintaining strong sales volumes to sustain its position as one of the world’s leading producers of flue-cured tobacco.
Contract sales will continue until contractors have finished buying the crop from their growers.
This was confirmed by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) in a statement to the industry stakeholders.
TIMB chief executive, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, said growers with unsold tobacco after the closing date could deliver it to any auction floor for mop-up sales scheduled for August 2026.
“All auction floors will officially close on Friday, 31 July 2026. Mop-up sales will be conducted on 5 and 6 August 2026. Contract sales will continue until individual contractors have completed receiving tobacco deliveries from their contracted growers,” said Mr Matsvaire.
He described the marketing season as a success despite the challenges experienced.
“The 2026 tobacco marketing season has generally been successful, notwithstanding the challenges experienced during the early stages of the marketing period.
“By day 93, Zimbabwe had sold over 353 million kilogrammes of tobacco, representing a 2 percent increase over the corresponding period last year, demonstrating the resilience of the country’s tobacco sector and the continued confidence of growers in tobacco production,” he said.
According to the TIMB statistics, by day 93, farmers had sold 353.8 million kilogrammes valued at US$882.4 million compared to 347 million kg worth US$1 billion during the same period last year.
Prices have not been favourable this season, with the average price coming in at US$2.49 per kg compared to US$3.33 per kg in the same period last year.
The highest price recorded this season was US$ 5.75 compared US$6.30 per kg last year.
“The season was characterised by a challenging global market environment, with increased tobacco supply in major producing countries, higher carry-over stocks from previous seasons and subdued international demand, all of which exerted downward pressure on prices.
“Locally, lower prices recorded at the beginning of the season were also influenced by limited buyer participation and reduced competition. As more buyers entered the market and competition improved, tobacco prices strengthened and market conditions became more favourable,” he said.
