TOBACCO deliveries are continuing on an upward trend, with the latest figures showing a 50 % increase compared to the same period last year.
The latest data from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board shows that farmers have delivered over 345 million kilogrammes of tobacco, showing strong signs of growth in Zimbabwe’s top export crop.
This impressive jump in output has surpassed national targets, with tobacco now firmly securing its position as Zimbabwe’s number one export crop.
“Credit goes to the farmers who have demonstrated that President Emmmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra; Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo.” Such a high level of production is testimony that the land reform program is a success and should send a clear message to the world that Zimbabwe is prepared to reach greater heights in the global tobacco market,” Tobacco Expert, Mr Dickson Kubvakacha said.
The windfall has been unprecedented. For the first time ever, farmers have earned over one billion US dollars from tobacco sales. Attention now shifts toward value addition, local processing, and increasing domestic financing of the crop.
With sustained government support and growing international demand, Zimbabwe is on track to realise its vision of a five-billion-dollar tobacco sector in the near future.
