Zimbabwe has achieved an unprecedented milestone in its tobacco industry, recording over 306 million kilograms of tobacco sold since the opening of the 2025 marketing season in March. This marks the first time in the country’s history that the 300 million kg mark has been surpassed, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
As of 18 June 2025, official figures from TIMB confirmed that 306,251,229 kilograms of tobacco had been sold, generating a total value exceeding US $1.028 billion. This surpasses the previous record of 296 million kilograms set in 2023, reflecting continued growth and strategic efforts under the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan (TVCTP).
TIMB’s Public Affairs Officer, Chelesani Tsarwe, attributed the landmark achievement to the combined efforts and resilience of stakeholders across the tobacco value chain. “This year’s marketing season has been historic,” Tsarwe stated, adding that Zimbabwe must now look beyond volume-centric growth. “We must shift from volume-driven horizontal growth to value-driven vertical growth. The ideal future is one where local processing, higher farmer earnings, market diversification, and environmental sustainability define the sector.”
The sentiment was echoed by the TIMB CEO, who praised the role of farmers, contractors, extension officers, and financiers in realising this production feat. “This remarkable achievement is a tribute to the dedication, resilience, and excellence of Zimbabwe’s tobacco growers and their partners,” he noted. “Let’s improve the weight and quality of our tobacco and reduce harvest and post-harvest losses. We must not only look at volume-driven horizontal growth, but also value-driven vertical growth.”
Despite reaching this milestone, deliveries to auction floors and contract buyers are ongoing, with significant volumes still in grading sheds, suggesting the season’s final figures may rise further.
The success of the 2025 season aligns with broader objectives under the TVCTP, a national strategy aimed at transforming the sector through industrialisation, improved market access, value addition, and sustainable farming practices. The Plan sets ambitious targets, not only for production volume but also for increasing domestic processing capacity and enhancing farmer livelihoods through improved pricing models and reduced reliance on raw leaf exports.
Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s second-largest foreign currency earner after gold, contributing significantly to the economy and rural employment. However, challenges persist, including climate volatility, sustainability concerns, and a need for better post-harvest infrastructure. TIMB and industry players have emphasised the importance of mitigating environmental impacts while bolstering competitiveness through innovation and value creation.
As the country celebrates this historic tobacco output, there is growing consensus that the future lies in quality-driven, equitable, and sustainable growth across the entire agricultural landscape.
