dyton mupawaenda
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe has so far exported over 210 million kg of tobacco worth over US$1 billion, more than two thirds of the crop, since the start of the marketing season, giving merchants and farmers hope that the target of US$1,6 billion exports can be easily met.
This was a major increase from US$900 million realised in the 2022 season.
While farmers deliver and sell their tobacco in a short season, and they delivered almost 300 million kg this year, the merchants do the initial processing, sorting and exporting over a full year.
About US$1 099 773 198 million has so far been achieved from exporting tobacco compared to US$766 646 001 million sold in the same period last year, an increase of over 20 percent.
This year, nearly 300 million kg of tobacco was produced, the highest ever in the history of Zimbabwe, prompting the Government to set a target of US$1,6 billion exports.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board indicate that with about 99 million kg of tobacco worth US$706m at an average price of US$7,16/kg the Far East remains the largest single market with the average price showing that it takes the largest share of the best quality leaf.
About 38 million kg valued at US$130 million was exported in Africa at an average price of US$3,45/kg.
Nearly 34 million kg of tobacco valued at US$148 million was exported to the European Union at an average price of US$4,34/kg. Another 28 million kg worth US$73 million went to the Middle East at an average price of US$2,57/kg.
About six million kg valued at US$24 million was sold to Europe outside the EU at an average price of US$4,02/kg, and over five million kg was sold to the Americas for US$19 million at an average price of US$3,85/kg.
Export of tobacco products has been on an upward trend, with earnings of US$795 million in 2020, US$837 million in 2021 and US$998 million last year.
The regular rise in the crop, with new production and value records set each year, reflect the growing number of small-scale farmers who now carry the burden of the crop bringing a lot of prosperity to the “tobacco belt” across natural region two.
The growth in exports shows that world markets can continue absorbing more Zimbabwean tobacco with its reputation for quality.
Although value is added by the merchants with their initial processing, grading, sorting and making up of orders, the thrust is now on boosting manufactured products to reach a US$5 billion tobacco industry by 2025.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union secretary general Mr Paul Zakariya said farmers have worked hard and the effort is commendable adding that the increase in export earnings was a welcome development and growers must be applauded for that.
“The vision for a US$5 billion tobacco industry is quite achievable. As we inch towards that vision, we need to significantly increase local funding for tobacco production. This will allow for local value addition and import substitution of finished products. That is where real value is,” he said.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust president Mr Victor Mariranyika said tobacco is the biggest foreign currency earning crop which needs a practical action approach when growing it adding that it is critical to empower small holder farmers.
‘’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. Over the past two seasons there has been a significant increase in cost of production.
Tobacco Farmers Union Trust vice president Mr Edward Dune said this year’s exports signifies the critical work done by farmers adding that more should be done by the Government to empower small holder farmers so that they will not depend on contracting companies.
“If Government continues to empower small holder farmers like in the case of Pfumvudza, then farmers are assured of getting inputs on time.
“Unscrupulous middlemen should totally be eliminated to ensure that farmers get what they actually deserve.
“Tobacco has transformed the majority of people but there is a need to ensure that processing is done in the country to ensure that our farmers get more money,”he said.
In a recent interview Mrs Marjorie Makwiza of Banket said of all the crops, tobacco has positively transformed her life and her children.
“Since l started growing tobacco, everything almost changed. 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. So far no challenges I am facing. Every year l grow more than 20 bales. To me tobacco has transformed my life and next year 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,” she said.
Mr Tawanda Marembo of Raffingora also mentioned that all his wealth emanated from growing tobacco.
“I started growing tobacco in 2018 but l can tell you that l bought a car, tractor and l built a nice house in Chinhoyi. Tobacco pays if good agronomic practises are implemented. This crop has transformed my life and l pledge to continue growing tobacco. Other crops are paying but tobacco has proved to be the biggest paying crop,” he said.
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