Staff reporter
Government provided a thorough update on the current status of summer crops and tobacco marketing. This insightful report not only highlights the present conditions and strategies in these crucial sectors but also emphasizes the Government's dedication to transparency.
During today's (yesterday) post cabinet press briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere presented an update on the Summer Crops and Tobacco Marketing.
He revealed that Zimbabwe yielded 2.57 million metric tonnes of maize and traditional grains in the 2022/2023 season, exceeding the nation's consumption of 2.2 million metric tonnes. This equates to a daily consumption of 6,027 metric tonnes, with 4,931 metric tonnes allocated for human consumption.
Minister Muswere further highlighted that the summer crops production, a total of 526,082 metric tonnes was marketed for the 2022/2023 season, with the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) purchasing 210,579 metric tonnes, constituting a 39% market share.
"We assure the public that there will be ample grain supply before the next intake in April 2024. Wheat stocks, standing at 247,371 metric tonnes as of January 28, 2024, are expected to last eleven months at a drawdown rate of 21,000 metric tonnes per month," said the Minister.
Minister Muswere then revealed the sustained export growth achieved in the tobacco industry, with exports of 36.8 million kilograms exported this year at an average price of US$7.33 per kilogram, compared to 11.6 million kilograms in 2023 at US$4.31 per kilogram, the industry has seen substantial growth. He added that Government has also set a target of increasing production to 300 million kgs per year and transforming the tobacco sector into a US$5 billion industry by 2025 and an additional US$10 billion by 2030.
"The majority of tobacco sold in 2024 is destined for markets in the Far East, Africa, the Middle East, and the European Union," said Masuka.
Meanwhile, The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has officially declared the commencement of the 2024 auction tobacco marketing season on March 13, 2024, with contract tobacco sales set to begin the following day.
In a statement, acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Matsvaire, urged all stakeholders to be prepared for the upcoming season. He also indicated that TIMB introduced a transporters framework to mitigate losses incurred by farmers during the transportation of crops to the market.
"The commencement of the 2024 tobacco marketing season is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Specific details regarding the venue, time, and program for the ceremony will be communicated at a later date, “said Matsvaire.
Zimbabwe produces six percent of the world’s tobacco and getting US$1,65 billion at most.
The country has enough tobacco seed to cater for the next eight years, which is encouraging for a nation that wants to increase production.
