Doris Mpala
Agriculture Correspondent
Zimbabwe exported 185,2 million kilogrammes of tobacco valued at US$986,1 million between January and October 2026, reflecting a sharp increase in value and volume compared to the same period last year, figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board show.
TIMB’s weekly update shows that by October 9, export volumes rose 25,3 percent from 147,9 million kgs in the same period in 2025, while earnings surged 22,6 percent from US$804,4 million to US$986,1 million.
The average export price, however, declined slightly to US$5,32 per kilogramme this year from US$5,44/kg recorded last year, indicating that the increase in revenue was largely driven by higher export volumes this year.
The Far East remains Zimbabwe’s leading tobacco export destination, accounting for 82,9 million kilogrammes of shipments worth US$571 million during the review period. This represented an increase from 62,4 million kilogrammes valued at US$423,1 million during the same period last year.
Africa was the second-largest destination by export volume, accounting for 41,1 million kilogrammes worth US$166,3 million, compared to 27,1 million kilogrammes valued at US$126,4 million shipped out in 2025.
Exports to Europe also increased, with volumes rising from 8,5 million kg in 2025 to 12, 2 million kg, while earnings grew from US$42,2 million to US$61,6 million.
The Americas recorded an increase in export volumes from 5,3 million kg to 8, 6 million kg, with earnings rising from US$20,7 million to US$31,7 million.
However, the European union market recorded a decline, with export volumes falling from 22,1 million kg to 19, 4 million kg. Earnings dropped from US$126,1 million to US$90,8 million, while the average price decreased from US$5, 71 to US$4, 69/kg.
Exports to the Middle East also declined in volume, from 22,5 million kg to 21,1 million kg, with earnings falling slightly from US$65,7 million to US$64,7 million. Despite the decline in volume, the average price improved from US$2, 92 to US$3, 07/kg.
The figures highlight the continued importance of the Far East market to Zimbabwe’s tobacco export earnings, while growth in Africa, Europe and the Americas contributed to the overall increase in export performance.
The increase in export volumes and earnings comes as Zimbabwe continues to pursue value addition and beneficiation in the tobacco industry to maximise returns from the country’s golden leaf.
