Zimbabwe’s tobacco marketing season has generated more than US$882 million, with deliveries surpassing last year’s levels by over six million kilogrammes.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board said the 2026 marketing season has recorded higher volumes than the same period last year, reflecting continued growth in tobacco production despite market challenges.
“The 2026 tobacco marketing season has generated an estimated US$882.4 million after 354,378,943 kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco were sold by Day 96 at an average price of US$2.49 per kilogramme,” TIMB said.
Auction floor sales, meanwhile, accounted for 30,385,988 kilogrammes at an average price of US$1.91 per kilogramme, earning growers approximately US$58 million.
“Contract sales continue to dominate, accounting for 323,992,955 kilogrammes at an average US$2.55 per kilogramme, worth an estimated US$826.2 million, while auction floors have sold 30,385,988 kilogrammes at an average US$1.91 per kilogramme, generating about US$58.0 million,” TIMB said.Despite the increase in volumes, tobacco prices have fallen significantly compared to the same period in 2025, when growers received an average price of US$3.33 per kilogramme.
This year’s average price of US$2.49 represents a decline of US$0.84 per kilogramme, highlighting persistent pricing challenges within the sector.
TIMB said the disparity between increased deliveries and lower prices underscores the pressure facing tobacco farmers.
“Although volumes are now 6.3 million kilogrammes higher than the 348,073,973 kilogrammes sold by the same day in 2025, the average price remains significantly lower at US$2.49 per kilogramme, compared with US$3.33 per kilogramme a year ago, highlighting continued pressure on grower earnings despite stronger deliveries,” the board said.
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The latest figures demonstrate tobacco’s continued importance as one of Zimbabwe’s leading agricultural export commodities and a major source of foreign currency earnings.
However, the decline in prices suggests that improved production alone may not be sufficient to enhance farmers’ profitability unless global and domestic market conditions strengthen in the remainder of the marketing season.
