HARARE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe concluded its 2026 tobacco marketing season on Thursday following the completion of the final mop-up sales, recording a historic harvest.
According to the industry regulator, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), farmers delivered a record output of more than 357 million kg this season, up from 354.8 million kg recorded in the previous season.
However, global market headwinds, including increased supply in major producing countries, higher carry-over stocks, and subdued international demand, exerted downward pressure on prices. TIMB statistics show that the average price fell to 2.49 U.S. dollars per kg from about 3.3 dollars per kg last season.
While tobacco remains a crucial export earner and a major driver of rural livelihoods, the price decline has prompted growing calls from both the TIMB and local farmers to promote crop diversification into horticulture and other cash crops to hedge against future market and climate risks.
China remained the largest export destination for Zimbabwean tobacco, accounting for 34 percent of the total export volume since trading opened in March, according to the TIMB.
