Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry has recorded a strong surge in sales this marketing season, with farmers earning more than US$673 million from 266 million kilogrammes of tobacco sold within the first 54 days of the 2026 selling season, despite lower average prices compared to last year.
In a statement, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco sales had reached 266.05 million kilogrammes valued at approximately US$673.1 million as of 21 May 2026.
The regulator said the tobacco was sold at an average price of US$2.53 per kilogramme.
“TIMB FCV tobacco sales to Day 54 (21 May 2026) reached 266.05 million kilogrammes worth approximately US$673.1 million at an average price of US$2.53 per kilogramme,” the board said.
According to TIMB, contract sales continued to dominate the market, accounting for the bulk of tobacco delivered this season.
“Contract sales recorded 247.07 million kilogrammes sold at US$2.58 per kilogramme, generating approximately US$637.4 million,” the statement said.
The auction system contributed 18.98 million kilogrammes, which were sold at an average price of US$1.82 per kilogramme, generating around US$34.5 million.
The latest figures indicate a sharp increase in tobacco volumes sold compared to the same period last year, highlighting continued growth in production and deliveries from farmers across the country.
“By the same period in 2025, growers had sold 219.01 million kilogrammes at a higher average price of US$3.38 per kilogramme,” TIMB noted.
Meanwhile the increased volumes demonstrate growing participation by farmers in tobacco production, with the crop remaining one of Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earners and a major source of livelihoods for thousands of households.
Zimbabwe remains Africa’s largest tobacco producer and one of the world’s leading exporters of flue-cured tobacco, with the crop playing a critical role in generating export earnings and supporting rural economies.
