Online Reporter
Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe has earned US$489 million from the export of 71 million kilogrammes of semi-processed tobacco to different destinations, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has revealed.
This is an increase from the 43,2 million kg valued at US$,293 million exported during the same period last year.
The TIMB latest weekly update indicated that the Far East has remained the major export destination with the region also offering the highest price of US$8,48 per kg.
The Far East countries comprising China, Japan and Indonesia, among other countries, imported 44,5 million kg of tobacco worth US$378 million.
Africa has maintained the second position after buying 6,7 million kg of the golden leaf valued at US$32,9 million at US$4,88 per kg. The Middle East bought 5,9 million kg worth US$18,7 million, while Europe imported 5,5 million kg valued at US$32,3 million and the European union bought 4,8 million kg worth US$18,6 million.
Zimbabwe also exported 3 million kg worth US$8,5 million to the Americas. The Government is intensifying tobacco processing and value addition to grow exports of finished products from the industry. Plans are afoot to establish processing plants locally to maximise profits from the golden leaf.
