Zimbabwe’s 2025 tobacco marketing season began with positive expectations for increased production due to favorable rainfall. Stakeholders, including the Tobacco Industry Board chairman Patrick Devenish, predict a yield of over 280 million kg, surpassing last year’s output. China’s demand for Zimbabwean tobacco is set to boost the sector significantly.
Zimbabwe launched its 2025 tobacco marketing season on March 6, signaling optimism among stakeholders regarding increased tobacco production attributed to favorable rainfall conditions. The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairman, Patrick Devenish, indicated hopes for a substantial recovery following last year’s production decline due to a drought linked to El Niño.
Devenish anticipates a rise in output to over 280 million kg this year, a notable increase compared to last year’s harvest of more than 240 million kg, which yielded over $1.4 billion in export revenue.
The marketing season typically spans from January to July, and China remains the largest consumer of Zimbabwean tobacco, driving sector growth. Devenish underscored the importance of this relationship, stating that Chinese buyers procure the best quality tobacco at premium prices, which is instrumental for the industry’s success.
Primarily grown by small-scale farmers, tobacco is crucial to Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports and a significant source of foreign currency, highlighting the crop’s economic importance to the nation.
The start of the 2025 tobacco marketing season in Zimbabwe brings optimism for increased production following favorable weather conditions. The expectation of higher yields and strong demand, particularly from China, underscores the vital role that tobacco plays in the country’s economy. This season could signify a recovery from previous declines, emphasizing the industry’s potential for growth and profitability.
Original Source: english.news.cn
