Chronicle Editor
Oliver Kazunga, Harare Bureau
TOBACCO export earnings have since the beginning of the year breached the US$1,2 billion mark compared to US$975 million achieved during the corresponding period last year.
According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), Zimbabwe had exported 233 896 182 kilogrammes of the golden leaf valued at US$1,224 billion as of December 15, 2023.
The average price was US$5,23 per kg compared to US$4,96 a kg during the corresponding period in 2022.
Last year, during the same period the country had exported 196 565 784kg. Zimbabwe exports the bulk of its golden leaf to countries in the Far East such as China and according to the latest TIMB report, a total 109 447 130kg have been exported raking in US$779,2 million at an average price of US$7,12 a kg.
Africa is the second largest consumer of flue-cured tobacco from Zimbabwe, having consumed 40 838 898 kg, generating US$141,6 million at an average price of US$3,47 a kg. The country also exports the golden leaf to countries within the European Union, Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the tobacco sector are optimistic of achieving 300 million kg of the crop in the 2024 marketing season despite the late onset of the rains and decreased number of registered growers.
As of December 15, 2023 the number of registered growers was 112 447 growers have registered compared to 144 446 growers who had registered during the same period last year.
And 94 percent of the registered growers are contracted. TIMB chairman Mr Patrick Devinish was recently quoted by our sister paper, The Sunday Mail saying despite the delayed onset of the summer cropping season due to late rains, stakeholders in the tobacco industry are optimistic of attaining the 300 million kg target.
He said this is on account that the crop does not require much rainfall and coupled with good agronomic practices the target is attainable.
“Our early target is 285 million kilogrammes of tobacco, but don’t forget that the rains haven’t come yet and the smallholders haven’t planted yet and they are the biggest, constituting 65 percent of this crop.
“There is nothing to worry about yet, we could easily get 300 million kilogrammes if we get the rains anytime from now.
“As the rains come, we will be able to give more accurate figures because we will be having the hectarages and all that sort of things,” he said.
Online Reporter