Zimbabwe Tobacco Farmers Earn US$346 Million

Zimbabwe farmers marketing tobacco. The production of the crop has increased in recent years due to the land redistribution program., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Tobacco farmers earn US$346m

Thursday, 02 May 2013 00:00
Elita Chikwati Agriculture Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald

FARMERS have pocketed US$346 million from the sale of over 93,4 million kg of tobacco since the opening of the selling season in February. According to statistics released by the Tobacco Industry and

Marketing Board, a total of 93,4 million kg have been sold at an average price US$3,72 per kg, a price that has been prevailing for three weeks.

Contract sales accounted for 57 million kg of the 93,4 million kg.

The 57 million kg was sold at an average price of US$3,78 per kg while the balance of 36 million kg was from auction sales at an averaging price of US$3,61per kg.

In a corresponding period last year, a total of 72,7 million kg was sold at an average price of US$3,79 per kg.

Mashonaland West has delivered the highest volumes of tobacco. Since February, the province has delivered 36 percent of the total volumes.

A total of 21 229 farmers from Mashonaland West have sold 33 million kg worth US$123 million at an average price of US$3,74 per kg.

Mashonaland Central which has 22 095 farmers sold 28 million kg worth US$104 million at an average price of US$3,68 per kg was a close second.

Mashonaland East farmers delivered 20 percent of the tobacco amounting to 18,6 million kg worth US$69 million at an average price of US$3,79 per kg. A total of 10 653 farmers from the province have delivered the crop.

Deliveries from Manicaland constitute 13 percent of total tobacco delivered. The 11 831 farmers from the province sold 12,4 million kg worth US$45 million at an average price of US$3,65.

Midlands and Masvingo have the least deliveries of 204 114 kg and 33 648 kg respectively.

A total of 100 farmers from Midlands have received US$773 613 for their tobacco which was sold at an average price of US3,79 per kg while farmers in Masvingo received US$112 668.

To date, about 76 925 growers have delivered tobacco against a total of 88 837 growers who have registered for 2013 season.

During the same period last year about 66 722 growers had registered.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri was optimistic that the target of 170 million kg of tobacco this season will be met.

Zimbabwe is slowly moving towards regaining its status as one of the major tobacco producers in the world.