Online Reporter
Elita Chikwati
Agriculture News Editor
More than 36 800 kilogrammes of tobacco were sold on the first day of the 2026 marketing season, with the industry recording a 471 percent increase in rejected bales.
Tobacco auction floors opened on Wednesday with most farmers expressing disappointment over the low prices offered by buyers.
The highest price recorded on the first day was US$4,60 per kg compared to US$4,99/kg on the same day of the season last year.
According to the TIMB statistics, a total of 36 852 kilogrammes valued at US$ 59 125 were sold at Tobacco Sales Floor and Ethical Sales Floor at an average price of US$1,57 per kg.
Volumes sold on the opening day declined by 47 percent from the 69 471 kg worth US$205 676 at an average price of US$1,66 per kg on the same day of the marketing season last year.
This season’s opening day also registered an increase of 471 percent in rejected bales.
Of the 1 148 bales laid, 451 were sold while 697 were rejected.
During the same period last year, 969 bales were laid and 859 sold, with the remaining 116 rejected.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president Mr George Seremwe said the first day was not good for many farmers.
“The prices were low and there was a huge outcry from farmers. It is the first day we will wait and see as the season progresses, but the situation is not good. It is difficult to contain.
“We cannot try to be positive about it. We had real leaf as low as US$0,50 per kg,” he said.
TIMB chief executive, Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire, attributed the high rejection rate to farmers exercising their right to withdraw the crop after being offered low prices.
“It is important to note that farmers are not obliged to accept prices they consider too low. The marketing system allows growers to reject or withdraw their tobacco and seek better offers either later in the day or on another selling day,” he said.
About 400 million kilogrammes of tobacco are expected this season.
Globally, there is an oversupply of tobacco and countries have tobacco in stocks from previous years.
There were fears this could compromise prices this season.
The TIMB, however, assured farmers of better prices since 95 percent of the crop produced in Zimbabwe is under contract farming, where markets are guaranteed.
Under this model, pricing and offtake are governed by pre-agreed frameworks between contractors and growers.
Global oversupply dynamics may directly affect the small proportion of tobacco traded under the auction system, which constitutes approximately 5 percent.
