Itai Ndongwe
HARARE- The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says tobacco exports have reached impressive numbers, with 48 million kilograms of tobacco worth over US$309 million exported to date
A significant portion of these exports, amounting to 29 million kilograms, has been destined for the Far East, highlighting the region’s strong demand for Zimbabwean tobacco.
In the current tobacco marketing season, the country has sold 64 million kilograms of tobacco, valued at US$221 million. The average price per kilogram stands at US$3.47, reflecting a competitive market. These figures underscore the importance of tobacco as a major export crop for Zimbabwe, contributing significantly to the country’s economy.
The figures show the sector’s resilience and potential for growth, with efforts to improve production and marketing strategies likely to further boost exports. As the tobacco industry continues to navigate global market trends, Zimbabwe’s position as a key player in the tobacco trade remains strong.
Meanwhile, TIMB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Asia-Europe and Africa Joint Trade and Investment Promotion Association (AEA Association), paving the way for the first-ever China-Zimbabwe Tobacco Expo to be held in September 2025.
The MoU formalizes the strategic partnership aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China in the tobacco sector. The Expo will bring together key stakeholders from Zimbabwe, China, and other African countries to exchange ideas, showcase technologies, and explore solutions that can transform Zimbabwe’s tobacco value chain from seedbed to cigarette.
“Some of the challenges we face in Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector may already have solutions in China,” said TIMB Acting CEO, Emmanuel Matsvaire. “This Expo is about connecting Zimbabwean tobacco growers and industry players with Chinese innovations that enhance productivity, promote sustainability, and increase value addition.”
The idea for the Expo was conceived during the 2024 China International Import Expo in Shanghai, where TIMB officials engaged with representatives from the AEA Association and saw immense potential for collaboration. With support from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and ZimTrade, the relationship was formalized to bring Chinese expertise and technologies into the Zimbabwean context.
China remains Zimbabwe’s largest single consumer of tobacco, importing approximately 100 million kilograms annually, around one-third of the country’s crop. In 2005, the China National Tobacco Corporation partnered with Zimbabwe to establish the Tian Ze Tobacco Company, which continues to contract local farmers and pay competitive prices, significantly supporting the industry’s recovery post the land reform program.
The Expo will feature exhibitions, conferences, field tours, live demos, and networking opportunities.
Participants will range from farmers, merchants, input suppliers, financiers, processors, and researchers to government agencies and private sector players from Zimbabwe, China, and across Africa.
One of the key areas of focus will be sustainable tobacco-curing technologies. China has successfully eliminated wood used in curing tobacco, an innovation Zimbabwe seeks to adopt to reduce deforestation and operational costs for growers. The Expo will offer a platform for such proven technologies to be showcased and potentially adapted locally.
This collaboration also aligns with Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, which seeks to increase local value addition and reduce raw tobacco exports.
