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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe has so far exported over 138 million kg of tobacco worth over US$696 million compared to over 118 million kg valued at US$539,7 million sold last year by this time.
While the tobacco crop is bought from farmers in just a few months, the exports are continuous throughout the year, up until the start of the next harvest.
The figure so far suggests that the final export earnings of the harvest are likely to reach US$1,5 billion when all the tobacco bought by the merchants has been sold and shipped.
Last year’s crop hit US$900 million when it was sold to final users, compared to US$763 recorded in 2020.
Statistics indicate that Zimbabwe is the largest grower of tobacco in Africa and is ranked sixth globally following China, India, Brazil, the United States and Indonesia.
This season, the country produced 297 million kg of tobacco compared to 206 million produced last season, which is a huge milestone in the history of Zimbabwe since tobacco growing started.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicate that over 58 million kg of tobacco worth nearly US$413 million was exported to far eastern countries at an average export price of US$7,12 per kg.
Merchants add significant value to the crop after buying it from the farmers through the initial processing stages.
Over 31 million kg of tobacco worth nearly US$110 million was sold to African countries at an average price of US$3.52 per kg.
Nearly 21 million kg valued at over US$51 million was exported to the Middle East at an average price of US$2,44 per kg.
Over 20 million kg of tobacco valued at nearly US$94 million was exported to the European Union at an average price of US$4.54 per kg.
Over 4 million kg of tobacco was exported to the rest of Europe for nearly US$16 million at an average price of US$3.83.
The country exported 3 million kg of tobacco valued at over US$13 million to America at an average price of US$3,74 per kg.
Currently farmers are concentrating on tobacco planting for the coming season and statistics indicate that 11 530 hectares have so far been planted, 11 420 hectares are under irrigated tobacco and 110 hectares under dryland.
The major dryland crop, the bulk of the future harvest, will be planted once rains start falling in the tobacco belt.
The main buyers of the Zimbabwean leaf are China, South Africa, Belgium, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Sudan.
So far, the seedbed area sown for this coming season is equivalent to 118,418ha.
Recently, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera indicated that there is need to expand into new markets in the Middle East, restructuring and rebuilding existing institutions in order to optimise tobacco value chain financing so as to raise and optimise the net export benefits from tobacco.
“We need to facilitate production of alternative crops to tobacco to diversify and increase the contribution to farmer revenues and enhance traceability and sustain the industry level of production, value addition and beneficiation in the face of climate change and the anti-tobacco campaign,” he said.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Mr Victor Mariranyika indicated that as the biggest foreign currency earning crop, tobacco needed a practical action approach when growing.
“Contracting companies should provide enough inputs and on time to ensure that best results are achieved. Several small holder farmers’ lives have totally positively changed, and production costs should not rise to ensure that farmers get a profit,” he said.
Mr Barnabas Matsvaire of Banket indicated that he will increase hectares in growing tobacco this season, adding that the crop has totally transformed her life.
“It was difficult to send my children to school or even to feed them but now l can testify that everything is now moving smoothly. I earn large amounts of money every year. To me, tobacco has transformed my life so l am planning to increase the hectarage because of 85 percent foreign currency retention which was introduced by the Government. This is a motivating initiative,” he said.
Ms Martha Mubaiwa of Makonde said all her wealth emanated from growing tobacco.
“I purchased tangible assets through growing tobacco. The crop pays if good agronomic practices are implemented. This crop has transformed my life and I pledge to continue growing tobacco,” she said.
Online Reporter