HARARE, Mar. 4 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe’s 2026 tobacco marketing season opened amid discontent from farmers who rejected what they described as extremely low prices offered by buyers on the first day of sales.
Opening bids at Harare’s auction floors ranged from about US$1 per kilogram to as low as 45 cents, prompting widespread resistance from growers who fear the season could bring significantly reduced earnings.
Only a handful of buyers were active on the opening day, though prices are expected to firm as more buyers enter the market in the coming weeks.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association president George Seremwe said the initial offers were unacceptable to farmers.
“It’s disappointing and we can’t convince our farmers to give away their crop for a song. The offer is just too little. It’s depressing,” Seremwe said.
However, industry observers say prices are unlikely to reach last season’s levels due to a global surplus of tobacco leaf that is weighing heavily on demand.
Keep Reading
- Minister bemoans shortage of schools
- BCC joins Green Cities initiative
- Drunkard kills church pastor
- DripSol’s one-stop-shop for farmers opens doors
Zimbabwe is expecting what could be a record tobacco harvest this year, but the outlook for growers is clouded by increasing supply from other producing countries.
Major competitors including Brazil, Zambia and Tanzania are also forecasting larger crops, contributing to a saturated global market.
The situation has been further complicated by China’s decision to reduce tobacco imports, a move linked to economic adjustments and changing consumer preferences. Chinese smokers are increasingly shifting to super-slim cigarettes, which require significantly less tobacco leaf.
As China has traditionally been Zimbabwe’s largest buyer, the reduced demand could have a substantial impact on the country’s tobacco industry.
Industry veteran and tobacco buyer Cyprian Foya said global market conditions would largely determine prices this season.
“The pricing dynamics this year will hinge heavily on global conditions rather than local expectations,” Foya said.
“There is a global oversupply and it’s well known how such situations affect prices. Zimbabwe tobacco remains a priority choice, but we cannot control limitations in demand. Like any commodity, prices fluctuate and will eventually return to equilibrium.”
Buyers, constrained by weaker demand from major markets, are expected to adopt a cautious approach when bidding, particularly for mid- and lower-grade tobacco.
Lower prices could place additional pressure on farmers who are already grappling with rising production costs.
Some growers are calling for improved financing mechanisms and broader access to export markets to help cushion them from volatile global price trends.
Despite the challenging outlook, Zimbabwean tobacco continues to enjoy a strong reputation internationally, especially for its high-grade flue-cured leaf.
Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) chairperson Peter Davenish said exports remained strong, with Zimbabwe earning US$399.8 million from tobacco exports by mid-February 2026, driven by demand from the Far East, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“This underscores global confidence in Zimbabwe’s tobacco quality and reliability,” Davenish said at the official opening of the auction floors in Harare.
For the 2026 marketing season, authorities have licensed 48 contractors — including 47 flue-cured tobacco contractors and one shisha contractor — as well as 47 Class A buyers.
Three auction floors will operate this season: Tobacco Sales Floor, Premier Tobacco Auction Floors and the newly licensed Ethical Sales Floor.
Five decentralised selling centres will also be opened across the country to reduce travel distances and marketing costs for farmers.
Smallholder farmers produce about 85% of Zimbabwe’s tobacco, making the crop a critical source of income for rural households.