Online Reporter
Theseus Shambare and Precious Manomano
FIVE tobacco contracting firms have been barred from participating in the 2026 marketing season after failing to secure licences from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board in a move aimed at safeguarding growers and restoring order in the multi-billion-dollar sector.
TIMB chief executive officer Emmanuel Matsvaire said the five contractors — Inter Africa, Leaf Exchange Africa, Voedsel, Moroz Tobacco Company and Tobacco Company of Zimbabwe — had not been licensed and would therefore not be allowed to operate during the current marketing season.
The listed companies have been linked to a range of irregularities in the tobacco contracting system over the years, including disputes with growers over contract obligations, delayed payments and concerns around input financing arrangements.
For years, some farmers have raised concerns over companies that fail to fully fund contracted inputs, while others have complained of inflated input costs or delayed payments after delivering their crop.
The tobacco contracting model, which finances the bulk of Zimbabwe’s tobacco production, allows contractors to provide farmers with inputs and technical support in return for the crop at marketing time.
Authorities say weak compliance within this system can expose growers to exploitation while undermining the integrity of the marketing framework.
During a media interface ahead of the opening of the selling season Mr Matsvaire said only contractors licensed by the board would be permitted to participate in the industry this season.
“On Wednesday we are going to see 48 contractors that are licensed by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. One of those contractors is doing shisha tobacco,” he said.
“We also have 46 Class A buyers who have been licensed to participate in the marketing season.
“There are also five contractors that have not been licensed by TIMB. That includes Inter Africa, Leaf Exchange Africa, Voedsel, Moroz Tobacco Company and Tobacco Company of Zimbabwe. These are not licensed.”
Zimbabwe’s tobacco marketing season officially opens on Wednesday, with auction sales expected to begin at designated selling floors across the country.
Mr Matsvaire said the regulator had completed all preparations for the start of the marketing season and encouraged farmers to deliver their crop through registered channels.
“We are fully geared as TIMB and fully prepared. Growers should freely bring their tobacco for sale,” he said.
The opening of the marketing season will also coincide with the launch of a new sector transformation strategy.
The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Anxious Masuka, is expected to unveil the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan Phase Two, which will run from 2026 to 2030 and guide the next phase of reforms in the industry.
Meanwhile, the board is strengthening monitoring systems within the tobacco sector as part of broader efforts to curb side marketing and improve transparency.
TIMB head of information and communication technology Edson Nhemachena said the regulator had introduced a biometric grower management system to improve accountability within the marketing system.
The regulator, he said, had introduced stiffer penalties to deter offenders and ensure orderly marketing.
Under the revised framework, farmers caught facilitating side marketing will now pay US$50 per bale, up from the previous US$20 penalty.
Merchants found buying side-marketed tobacco will be fined US$200 per bale, double the previous US$100 penalty, while those caught operating illegal tobacco buying points will face fines of up to US$2 000.
Mr Hokonya said the measures were part of a broader strategy to curb illicit tobacco trade.
“To date we have registered 147 162 growers on the biometric application,” he said.
“What we are going to do as we start the selling season is that TIMB will require each and every grower who is going to sell tobacco to have been enrolled first before they can sell.”
The system will automatically verify growers during the booking process at selling floors.
“If a grower comes through for booking, the system will check whether they are biometrically enrolled or not. If they are not enrolled, they will not be allowed to complete the booking process,” Mr Nhemachena said.
TIMB inspectorate manager Isiah Hokonya said additional enforcement measures had also been introduced to curb side marketing and illicit tobacco trade.
The regulator has rolled out a 100-day operational plan targeting tobacco crime hotspots and strengthening monitoring systems across tobacco-growing regions.
“We now have a side marketing strategy specifically designed to address illicit trade and tobacco smuggling,” said Mr Hokonya.
The measures, officials say, are meant to ensure an orderly marketing season while protecting farmers and maintaining the credibility of Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry.
