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Business Reporter
SOUTH Africa continues to maintain the top position as the major importer of Zimbabwean tobacco having imported 9,1 million kilogrammes valued at $28,1 million since the beginning of the selling season in February. Tobacco imports to South Africa were averaging $3,09 a kg this season.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicate that China, which is the traditional major consumer of tobacco from Zimbabwe was among the top five importers sited on fourth position.
The Asian country has so far imported two million kg of the golden leaf valued at $17,3 million at an average price of $8,47 a kg.
A total of 30,5 million kg of tobacco valued at $118,1 million with an average price of $3,87 a kg was exported.
Belgium, United Arab Emirates and Sudan were among the top five importers of the tobacco.
A total of three million kg of tobacco worth $12,5 million have been exported to Belgium with an average price of $4,12 a kg while UAE has spent $6,6 million on 2,9 million kg at $2,27, the average price per kg.
Sudan has spent $5,5 million on 1,6 million kg of tobacco at an average price of $3,46 a kg.
Tobacco expert and agronomist Mr Thomas Nherera said South Africa was one of the major consumers of the golden leaf over the years.
“South Africa all the years was importing from other countries notably Zambia, Mozambique and a bit from Malawi and even from Kenya. But the quality of their tobacco does not out-compete the quality of the crop from Zimbabwe.
“South Africa was importing tobacco from these countries through a third party and it was expensive and now this season they are buying their crop directly from the tobacco industry at a lower price than from other countries. As a result, this has led them to maintain a top position over the major traditional market, China,” he said.
Mr Nherera said despite the present statistics from TIMB China remains Zimbabwe’s major consumer of the golden leaf.
He said Asian country was buying tobacco directly from local farmers adding that by the end of the selling season China would top the list of importers of flue-cured tobacco from Zimbabwe.
“The crop being exported at the moment is not from current deliveries but was left in the previous marketing seasons,” he said.
Last year, Zimbabwe earned more than $750 million in tobacco exports receipts, resulting in the agriculture sector becoming one of the major mainstays of the economy.
Online Reporter