Zimbabwe has reached an historic milestone in its tobacco industry, with over 300 million kilograms of leaf tobacco sold since the auction season opened in March 2025.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) confirmed this record-breaking achievement, surpassing the previous national record of 296 million kg set just last year. With total sales already exceeding $1 billion in value, this season is shaping up to be one of the most profitable in the country’s history.
Tobacco Exports Generate Over $1 Billion in Revenue
As Africa’s leading tobacco producer, Zimbabwe accounts for approximately 25% of the continent’s total production, while contributing 2.8% to global output. Its key export markets include China and South Africa, alongside a growing number of international buyers. The foreign currency earned through these record sales will be particularly welcomed as Zimbabwe grapples with currency volatility, with the Zimbabwean dollar among the weakest-performing African currencies in 2025. The inflow of hard currency will help ease the nation’s balance of payment deficit and strengthen economic stability.
Zimbabwe Strengthens Its Position in Global Tobacco Market
The record-breaking season also marks a significant step forward for Zimbabwe’s ambitious Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, launched in 2021. The plan set a target of reaching 300 million kg of annual production and transforming the sector into a $5 billion industry by 2025. With smallholder farmers making up a large portion of producers, tobacco remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and a crucial pillar of national economic resilience.
As the season is scheduled to continue until July, expectations are high that both production and export revenue will continue to climb, further reinforcing Zimbabwe’s global standing in the tobacco market.
Source: Further Africa
