With the 2025 tobacco marketing season set to open on March 5, industry players are expressing optimism despite production estimates being revised downward due to drought.
Zimbabwe had initially targeted 300 million kg of tobacco this season, but projections now stand at 280 million kg. However, industry leaders remain confident that the country will maintain its position as Africa’s top tobacco producer and a leading global supplier of flue-cured tobacco.
TIMB Chairman Patrick Devenish noted that global demand remains strong despite increased competition. “Brazil has a big crop this year, but demand for Zimbabwean tobacco remains high. We are confident of retaining our market share,” he said.
Private contractors are also hopeful. Northern Tobacco Managing Director Brian Manning highlighted the need for an extended selling season to accommodate delayed small-scale crops.
“It looks like a favorable season. We need it to stretch into March and April, but everything is on track,” he said.
The 2025 season will also see the full implementation of TIMB’s biometric system, aimed at eliminating side marketing and ensuring fair trade. Agriculture Deputy Minister Vangelis Haritatos expressed satisfaction with preparations, adding that the government remains committed to improving the industry’s efficiency.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector plays a crucial role in the economy, contributing approximately 10-11% to GDP and earning nearly $1 billion in annual exports. In recent years, production has expanded significantly, with smallholder farmers now accounting for the majority of the crop.
