Chronicle EditorZimbabwe has so far exported 133 million kilograms of flue-cured tobacco valued at $735,9 million, latest statistics from the industry regulator show.Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics for the week ending November 18 this year show that the exports increased to $735,9 million compared to $718,9 million of the same period last year.
China remains top destination for Zimbabwean tobacco, buying 52,3 million kg of the golden leaf valued at $425,5 million.
The average sale price for the golden leaf stood at $5,53 per kg.
Of the 62 buyers, China, Belgium, South Africa and Indonesia have been the major buyers of the flue cured tobacco.
South Africa has topped the buyer’s list in Africa, buying 19,8 million kg of the golden leaf valued at $58 million.
The other bulk of exports went to Belgium which imported 15,3 million kg valued at $73,6 million while exports to Indonesia were 5,2 million kg valued at $25,4 million.
The United Arab Emirates bought 7,5 million kg valued at $16,6 million, Russia 9,9 million kg valued at $14,1 million and Sudan 4,2 million valued at $15 million.
Meanwhile, the TIMB said the number of farmers who registered grow tobacco during the 2016 /17 farming season rose by 5 percent to 72 880.
Mashonaland Central province maintained its position as the major tobacco farming region after recording 12 632 communal farmers, 10 811 A1 farmers, 1 720 A2 farmers and 1 632 small-scale commercial farmers for the coming tobacco farming season. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter