The tobacco-selling season opened on a subdued note in Zimbabwe yesterday (Wednesday), as the persistent drought has cut into the country’s total output.
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) chairwoman, Monica Chinamasa, said in a statement that there had been a 20% decline in this year’s production, compared to the 198 000 tons produced last year.
Furthermore, she pointed out that only 72 000 farmers had registered to sell their crop this year – down from the 91 000 who registered last year. Chinamasa blamed the decrease on the ongoing drought, coupled with a lack of financing for producers.
Zimbabwe earned $855 million from tobacco sales in 2015 – nearly a third of its total export revenue.
