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Lynnet Khaka
ZIMBABWE’S tobacco export sector has opened 2026 on a strong footing, with export value surging by 73,8 percent and volumes rising by 64,3 percent compared to the same period last year.
Tobacco remains strategically significant to Zimbabwe as the country’s leading agricultural foreign currency earner, contributing substantially to GDP, sustaining rural livelihoods and underpinning wider economic stability.
As Africa’s largest tobacco producer and the world’s fourth largest, the crop continues to anchor Zimbabwe’s commercial agriculture sector.
An update from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) shows that 54,8 million kilogrammes of tobacco have been exported so far this year, generating US$399,8 million at an average price of US$7,30 per kg.
The Far East has maintained its status as the top destination for Zimbabwean tobacco. Exports to the region totalled 36,2 million kg, valued at US$320,9 million. The average price paid by Far East buyers stood at US$8,86 per kg.
The strong demand from the Far East underpinned the overall growth, while other markets posted mixed results. The Middle East emerged as the second largest export destination by volume, importing 5,1 million kg worth US$14,298 million. The average price realised in that region was US$2,79 per kg.
Europe imported just under 7,9 million kg of tobacco valued at more than US$40,7 million.
European union markets paid an average of US$4,21 per kg, while other European countries averaged US$5,96.
Africa and the Americas completed the list of export regions, with volumes of 3,2 million kg and 2,3 million kg respectively.
At the same point last year, Zimbabwe’s tobacco exports stood at 33,35 million kg, valued at US$230 million at an average price of US$6,90 per kg.
For America and Africa, the 2026 figures reflect a 64 percent increase in volume and a 74 percent rise in value, signalling both stronger throughput and firmer international pricing.
TIMB public affairs officer Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe highlighted the substantial price differential between processed and unprocessed tobacco.
She noted that while Zimbabwe’s unprocessed flue cured leaf trades between US$3 300 and US$8 000 per tonne (or US$3,30 to US$8 per kg), exporting raw leaf sits at the lowest end of the value chain.
“As TIMB, in supporting the Government, we consistently emphasise that exporting raw leaf represents the lowest point on the value chain, while local processing enables Zimbabwe to retain more revenue, create jobs, and support downstream industries”.
Ms Tsarwe said TIMB was supporting new processing plants and policies aimed at raising the proportion of locally processed tobacco to about 30 percent by 2030.
“Value addition is central to Vision 2030 and ensuring Zimbabwe captures more jobs, revenue and foreign currency,” she added, noting that the improving investment climate, backed by policy reforms and Special Economic Zones, is helping to advance more efficient and competitive manufacturing and export operations.
The industry supports more than 130 000 households, with over 85 percent of the crop grown by small scale farmers who benefited from land reform. It provides direct and indirect employment to roughly 250 000 people, including farm labourers and those in ancillary services.
The 2025 tobacco marketing season closed as one of the strongest in Zimbabwe’s history, with total production exceeding 353 million kilogrammes. This represented a 52,92 percent increase from the 230,8 million kg recorded in 2024, marking a sharp rebound from the prior year’s El Niño induced drought.
The crop earned more than US$1,17 billion, a 48,15 percent rise compared to the US$791,7 million achieved in 2024.
Online Reporter