daglous masveta
Edgar Vhera
Agriculture Specialist Writer
TOBACCO hectarage has surged by 10 percent from 109 000 hectares as of January 10 last year to 120 000 in the comparable period this year, as dry land farmers push to complete planting.
Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show that the area planted increased from 108 949 hectares last year to 120 106 in the comparable period this year.
A total of 126 474 growers have been registered this year compared to 112 914 at the same time last year.
TIMB public affairs officer, Mrs Chelesani Tsarwe said their team was on the ground undertaking the first round of crop assessment and evaluating the condition of the crop, as well as verifying the hectarage and likely output.
“We have deployed 16 experts to visit tobacco farming areas in the three Mashonaland provinces—East, West, and Central plus Manicaland province to assess the tobacco crop condition and generate estimates of possible output.
“All these will be working under the supervision of TIMB’s four regional managers to ensure a comprehensive and accurate assessment, which started on January 13 and is scheduled to end on January 17,” she advised.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) chairman Mr George Seremwe said the current rains had brought joy to farmers, who have reciprocated by intensifying rain-fed planting.
“Looking at figures released by TIMB, we might possibly surpass last season’s hectarage and production, as the rains have managed to resuscitate a lot of tobacco that was in dire straits and is now flourishing.
“Some farmers are salvaging the remaining seedlings in their seedbeds, and it’s looking very promising right now,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Agricultural Think Tank (ZATT) – Cotton Council Discussion Forum has been inundated with enquiries on availability of seedlings for planting by those farmers whose seedlings were damaged by excessive heat and lack of irrigation water late last year.
Meanwhile, Mrs Tsarwe revealed that the country’s tobacco exports had also risen by 10 percent from 4 011 852 kilogrammes over the period January 1 to 10 last year to 4 425 358 kg in the comparable period this year.
In value terms, the exports surged a whopping 50 percent from US$22 138 954 to US$33 172 650, as a result of a 36 percent increase in the average price from US$5, 52 per kilogramme to US$7, 50.
Tobacco analyst and Tobacco Farmer Talk (TFT) group administrator, Mr Phineas Mukomberanwa, said the country’s tobacco industry was showing promising value growth.
“As of January 3, India led the way, importing 316 800 kilogrammes at an impressive average price of US$8, 37 per kilogramme. The United States followed by importing 194 400 kg at US$1, 69 per kg,” he said.
He added that in 2024, tobacco exports were spread across diverse markets like Armenia, Madagascar, and Vietnam, highlighting shifting global demand trends.
“As we move forward, the focus remains on maintaining quality, exploring high-value markets, and addressing volume challenges to further uplift Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports,” he pointed out.
Online Reporter
