Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector has posted a modest increase in output for the 2026 marketing season, even as growers face a tougher global trading environment. Data released by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) shows that by July 29, the country had sold 356.2 million kilograms of the golden leaf, generating US$887.9 million in revenue. This represents a 1 percent rise in volume compared with the same period last year.

Speaking in a statement on Friday, the industry regulator noted that the season was marked by an oversupplied international market, higher carry-over stocks from previous years, and softer demand from key buyers. These factors put downward pressure on global prices, with local prices initially hampered by limited buyer participation at the auction floors. However, competition improved as the season progressed, helping to stabilise earnings.

China remained the dominant destination for Zimbabwean tobacco, absorbing 34 percent of total export volumes since marketing opened in March. TIMB officials encouraged growers to focus on productivity and leaf quality rather than simply increasing the area under cultivation. They also urged farmers to adopt certified seed varieties and invest in water conservation measures to build resilience against future market and climate shocks.

The 2026 auction marketing season officially ends on July 31, with mop-up sales scheduled for August 5 and 6. Contract sales will continue until all deliveries are completed. Looking ahead, the government’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (2026–2030) targets an output of 500 million kg and a US$7 billion tobacco industry by 2030, driven by improved productivity, local value retention, and diversification of export markets.

In the 2024/2025 season, Zimbabwe produced 354.8 million kg of tobacco worth US$1.2 billion. The current season’s performance, while modest, underscores the sector’s importance as a key agricultural export earner and its ability to adapt to challenging global conditions.