HARARE, Apr. 24 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe’s tobacco marketing season has posted a sharp rise in volumes by Day 34 of trading on Wednesday this week, although prices remain under pressure.
The Zimbabwe Economic Review said a total of 149.92 million kilogrammes had been sold across auction and contract floors.
The combined average price stood at US$2.65 per kilogramme, significantly lower than last year.
Auction floors accounted for 8.81 million kilogrammes at an average US$2.06 per kg, while contract sales dominated with 141.12 million kilogrammes at US$2.69 per kg.
“The 2026 tobacco marketing season continues to show strong volume growth, though prices remain under pressure compared to last year,” the publication said.
By the same point in 2025, Zimbabwe had sold 93.99 million kilogrammes at a higher average price of US$3.42 per kg.
This represents a volume increase of over 59% in 2026, alongside an approximate 22.5% decline in prices.
The Zimbabwe Economic Review attributed the divergence to increased supply, quality mix dynamics, and softer global demand.
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Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s top agricultural export and a key foreign currency earner, supporting thousands of smallholder farmers, with price movements as critical as output in determining sector earnings.
