Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare
The 2026 season may have brought leaner cheques and tighter purse strings, but the farmers—bless their stubborn, sun-scorched optimism—simply shrugged, rolled up their sleeves, and produced more tobacco than this nation has ever seen, a staggering 356 million kilogrammes.
While the global market played hardball with its pricing, Zimbabwe’s growers responded with an old-fashioned, no-nonsense show of force: sheer volume, unwavering discipline, and an unshakeable love for the golden crop that fuels the country’s agricultural heartbeat.
The country recorded its highest-ever tobacco deliveries, with growers selling 356 207 775 kilogrammes during the 2026 marketing season, surpassing last year’s output and moving the country closer to its target of producing 500 million kilogrammes annually by 2030 under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP2).
Latest Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board statistics show tobacco worth US$887,9 million had been sold as at July 29, compared to 351 251 602kg valued at US$1,17 billion over the corresponding period last year, while total deliveries for last year ultimately stopped at 354,881,661 (rounded to the nearest 355 million).
The average price stood at US$2,49 per kilogramme.
The record deliveries come as Government intensifies efforts to improve tobacco quality, strengthen value addition and protect Zimbabwe’s reputation as a producer of premium leaf, with preparations for the 2026/27 production season already underway.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Professor Obert Jiri said preparations for the next tobacco production cycle had already begun, with growers establishing seedbeds for the 2026/27 season.
“The decisions we make today will determine the quality, integrity and marketability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco for the 2026/27 production season and beyond,” he said.
Professor Jiri said Zimbabwe’s premium tobacco reputation had been built through scientific research, sound regulation and disciplined production systems, adding that protecting seed integrity remained central to sustaining the country’s competitiveness on international markets.
He said Kutsaga remained Zimbabwe’s only authorised producer of certified tobacco seed, with every registered variety undergoing years of scientific evaluation before commercial release.
Professor Jiri said increasing production alone would not be enough, stressing that improving quality, strengthening traceability and promoting the adoption of certified seed would protect farmer incomes, improve prices and accelerate value addition and beneficiation in line with the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan.
Tobacco Research Board, trading as Kutsaga, chief executive officer Dr Frank Magama said the increased deliveries reflected the resilience of Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector and the positive impact of sustained investment in research, certified seed development and improved agronomic practices despite changing global market conditions and unpredictable weather patterns.
“Kutsaga commends the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, growers and the entire tobacco value chain for this remarkable feat.
“Surpassing last year’s crop figures is a clear testament to the leadership, skill, discipline and technical excellence of the collective industry, which continues to prove that the country possesses the agronomic capacity to meet and exceed global market requirements,” he said.
Dr Magama said the current global oversupply of tobacco reinforced the need for Zimbabwe to focus on producing premium-quality leaf capable of attracting better prices on international markets.
“To shield Zimbabwe’s growing seasonal volumes from international volatility, Kutsaga urges farmers to prioritise absolute quality. Even in an oversupply situation, premium, flawless leaf remains highly sought after and commands top-tier prices,” he said.
He urged growers to continue planting certified seed, maintain strict seedbed hygiene, adopt precision field management, harvest at the correct maturity stage and use efficient curing technologies to consistently produce high-quality tobacco.
Meanwhile, TIMB chief executive officer Mr Emmanuel Matsvaire said the industry was already preparing for the next production season, with stakeholders expected to work together to preserve Zimbabwe’s premium tobacco reputation.
“We are concluding another successful tobacco marketing season and are busy with preparations for the 2026/27 production season. We have an opportunity to act proactively before the next crop is planted,” he said.
Mr Matsvaire warned that unregistered tobacco varieties threatened the quality, traceability and international reputation Zimbabwean tobacco had earned over many decades.
He said protecting the integrity of the country’s tobacco crop required a coordinated effort involving Government, regulators, researchers, growers, contractors, traditional leaders and law enforcement agencies.
“As we prepare for the next season, preserving quality standards, strengthening compliance and promoting value addition will ensure Zimbabwe continues to command premium markets while moving steadily towards its 500 million kilogramme production target,” said Mr Matsvaire.
