Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry is on the brink of achieving a historic milestone, with national deliveries of the golden leaf expected to surpass the 300 million kilogramme mark for the first time ever. Industry authorities are confident the revised target of 310 million kilogrammes will be reached, reflecting a season of exceptional output and solid policy backing.
Speaking to media in Harare yesterday, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) Chairperson, Mr Patrick Devenish confirmed the sector’s record-breaking trajectory.
“The latest statistics we have as TIMB for day 64 of the tobacco marketing season show that 273 million kilogrammes had been sold by last Friday. With daily deliveries exceeding five million kilogrammes, simple projections indicate we should hit the 300 million kilogrammes mark by this Friday,” he said.
The unprecedented surge in deliveries is being driven by increased production and a tightening of regulatory mechanisms.
Devenish noted that TIMB had introduced strict measures to tackle side marketing, a practice where contracted farmers sell tobacco outside approved channels.
“To curb side marketing and protect contractors who supply inputs to farmers, we have suspended operations of those contractors who have already reached their contracted volume.
“We are also implementing a Biometric System to improve traceability and enhance compliance within the value chain. These measures are key to promoting sustainable productions,” he explained.
Analysts credit the remarkable performance to the strategic policy environment fostered under the Second Republic. In particular, the Tobacco Value Addition Chain Growth Plan has been hailed for laying a strong foundation for growth through enhanced productivity, value addition, and farmer support systems.
The plan is designed to, not only increase output, but also ensure that Zimbabwe reaps maximum value from its tobacco crop through local processing and export diversification.
Zimbabwe continues to rank among the top producers of flue-cured tobacco globally, with the crop being one of the country’s leading foreign currency earners. The anticipated record underscores the sector’s vital role in Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and growth agenda.
As the tobacco marketing season progresses, stakeholders are optimistic that this landmark achievement will pave the way for even greater investments, innovation, and sustainability in the sector solidifying Zimbabwe’s status as a tobacco powerhouse on the global stage.
