Online Reporter
Patience Maturure
Agriculture Reporter
Tobacco exports have generated US$533 606 263 from the sale of 97 088 716 kilogrammes at an average price of US$5,50 per kg since the beginning of the year.
According to latest figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board’s weekly report, the major buyers of the tobacco were countries from the Far East, which accounted for 43,8 million worth US$306 million at an average price of US$7 per kilogramme.
Africa is on the second position after buying 20,2 million kg valued at US$88,4 million at an average price of US$4,38 per kg.
The Middle East bought 14,8 million kg worth US$46,4 million kg at an average price of with US$3,14 per kg.
In fourth position is the European union (EU) which imported 10,2 million kg of tobacco from Zimbabwe worth US$56 million at an average price of US$5,47 per kg.
Zimbabwe exported 4,1 million kg tobacco valued at US$15,6 million to Americas at a price of US$3,80 per kg.
European markets bought 3,8 million worth US$20,1 million at US$5,23 per kg while the Oceania bought 28 560kg worth US$241 332 at an average price of US$8,45 per kg.
During the same period last year, the total value of tobacco exports was US$622 162 691 from the 117 442 691 kg sold at an average price of US$5,30 per kg.
The Zimbabwean tobacco is popular at the international market because of its flavour. The Government and the private sector are working towards increasing local processing of tobacco to boost income.
