Story by Tendai Munengwa
GOVERNMENT has expressed satisfaction with improving tobacco quality and prices at auction and contract floors, urging farmers to take advantage of favourable market conditions and deliver their crop as the 2026 marketing season gains momentum.
Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation, Water Resources Development, Dr Anxious Masuka toured tobacco auction and contract floors in Harare this Wednesday to assess prevailing market trends at the peak of the selling season.
During a tour of Ethical Sales Floor, Dr Masuka noted significant improvements in both tobacco quality and prices, signalling favourable market dynamics for producers.
“When floors opened in March, there was an outcry by farmers over low prices. From our assessment, we found that it was due to priming, which farmers usually deliver during the first days, but from this tour, we have noticed that prices have significantly improved. What we expect now is that the price at auction floors should tally with what is prevailing at the contract, where over US$5.90 is being achieved as compared to US$4.90, the highest at auction.
“We are also engaging with the Finance Ministry to remove the coal levy as some farmers are not using it, and this will go a long way to increase returns for our farmers. We thank them for their resilience and urge them to continue producing quality leaf,” he said.
Farmers at the auction floors welcomed the improved prices, saying the developments have renewed confidence in the market.
“We are now delivering our crop with confidence, as the prices have increased; my highest bales fetched over US$4.80, and the average price I received was US$3.50,” one farmer said.
“I am happy with the Minister’s visit because his interface with the buyers and farmers will assist to bring sanity at floors. I am happy because prices have improved and farmers should deliver now,” another farmer said.
Sales Director at Ethical Sales Floor, Gardner Magande, said improved grading and curing practices are now being rewarded.
“We have explained to farmers the dynamics in the global market where the prices are also affected by the situation, but now all farmers with a properly graded and cured leaf are being rewarded,” he said.
Government is also finalising the Afforestation Fund aimed at supporting farmers to transition from firewood to alternative curing technologies, improving sustainability and enhancing tobacco quality for the global market.
The improving prices are expected to boost deliveries as the tobacco marketing season continues, strengthening farmer confidence and contributing to agricultural sector growth.
