Story by Tendai Munengwa
FARMERS have raked in over 66 million United States dollars from tobacco since the beginning of the marketing season for the golden leaf early this month.
An assessment of the tobacco industry since the opening of the 2025 marketing season three weeks ago reflects that farmers have come of age in producing high-quality tobacco.
While the first deliveries of the golden leaf comprise primings, farmers are happy with the pricing models at the auction floors.
“We have mobilized our resources as three sisters, and this is the first time, but we are very happy with the prices,” a farmer said.
“Getting the highest price of US$4.70 for our primings is very motivating. Our lowest price was US$2.50 which is not bad because we are confident that when we bring our quality crop, we will fetch more,” another farmer added.
A tobacco marketing analyst, Mr Dickson Kubvakacha, noted strides by tobacco stakeholders for Zimbabwe to have a five billion United States dollar industry by 2030.
“We have seen great strides in the tobacco industry. We commend the policies of the Second Republic. There is stability and no chaos which used to characterise the opening of floors. Farmers have come of age producing high-quality grades fetching good prices close to US$5, this positive trajectory will see the country achieve billions of United States dollars by 2030,” he said.
Although deliveries are a bit low as most farmers planted their crop late after rainfall delays, the average price of the golden leaf is pegged at US$3,53 per kilogramme as compared to US$3,47 per kilogramme during the same period last year.
