Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe’s tobacco marketing season is gathering steam, with farmers already raking in US$143 million from the sale of 41.6 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco since trading began last month.
Deliveries to both auction and contract floors have started to increase steadily as more farmers complete the grading and baling of their crop. Many growers have expressed satisfaction with the prices offered so far, which they described as viable and encouraging — especially for first-time farmers.
According to statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), most of the tobacco has been sold through contract floors. As of day 23, contracted growers had delivered 39.2 million kg valued at US$135.2 million, while self-financed farmers contributed 2.4 million kg worth US$7.7 million.
Although this year’s volumes are still trailing last year’s 56.7 million kg worth US$200 million delivered by the same point in the season, confidence remains high among stakeholders. Analysts have also attributed the difference to the late onset of rains in the 2024/25 farming season as more farmers are still curing their tobacco and will make deliveries in due course.
The average price per kilogram currently stands at US$3.43, slightly below last year’s average of US$3.53 at the same time.
Contract floors are leading in terms of pricing, with the highest price so far reaching US$6.30 per kg. Meanwhile, the top price at auction floors remains US$4.99 per kg, with the lowest recorded price at just US$0.10 per kg.
In an interview with the media this Monday, Raffingora farmer Peter Ruredzo, who is participating for the first time, praised the smooth payment process.
“I cannot complain; payments are made early. I sold my eight bales and got a reasonable amount. I am very happy,” he said.
Another grower, Patience Nyambirai from Banket, who has already sold 21 bales, said she plans to invest the proceeds in her children’s education.
“I cannot hide my happiness. I have plans to invest in education to improve my future,” she said.
Arthur Zhangu from Odzi, a proud tobacco farmer, shared the fruits of his dedication after selling 24 bales at a solid price.
“Selling 24 bales is not a joke. All my bales were sold at US$4.99 each, and that is a good return for the effort I put into this season,” he said.
Premier Tobacco Auction Floors operations manager, Mr. Sam Garabha, said deliveries have picked up significantly and expressed optimism about reaching the national target of 280 million kg.
“This past week saw significant progress, and more merchants are coming on board. We are seeing better quality coming in as harvesting progresses,” he said.
The increased activity at auction floors has been attributed to favourable prices, an organised marketing system, and greater access to funding through contractors and Government initiatives.
Zimbabwe’s position as Africa’s top flue-cured tobacco producer and fifth globally continues to attract more communal farmers into the sector, reinforcing tobacco’s strategic role in the country’s economic recovery.
