Farmers have earned more than US$255 million from the sale of 94 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco since the 2024 marketing season opened last month, with deliveries rising as more growers complete harvesting and curing.
By Day 25, a total of 93.9 million kg worth US$255.9 million had been sold , a 66 percent increase from the 56.6 million kg worth US$196.4 million recorded during the same period last year.
However, despite higher volumes, average prices have remained low, leaving many farmers worried about their returns and hoping for Government intervention following a Parliamentary visit to the auction floors.
As of last Thursday, the average price stood at US$2.73/kg, which is 21 percent lower than the US$3.47/kg recorded during the same period in 2023. According to the latest data from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), prices remain depressed compared to last year.
Experts attribute the weaker prices to global oversupply of tobacco and limited buyer competition on the local market.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association (ZTGA) chairman George Seremwe said that although the marketing process was running smoothly, farmers remained unsettled by the subdued prices.
“Farmers are getting their money on time but prices have remained depressed. As farmers, we are encouraged by the visit by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development. We hope we will get a lasting solution,” he said.
Low prices have affected many growers, but authorities remind farmers that they are not obliged to accept unfair offers. Growers have the right to appeal to the TIMB if dissatisfied with the prices offered by buyers.
TIMB has intensified farmer education and transparency efforts to ensure growers receive fair value for their crop.
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson and Chivi South legislator Felix Saul Maburutse said Zimbabwe must aggressively expand its export markets to stabilise domestic prices, as traditional buyers can no longer absorb rising output volumes.
The tobacco sector is also pushing for local value addition, aiming to export more finished products to boost employment and foreign currency earnings. Zimbabwe has the potential to earn over US$15 billion annually through exporting processed tobacco products.
Currently, most of the country’s tobacco is exported as raw or semi-processed leaf, limiting revenue potential and job creation across the value chain.
