Zimbabwe’s flue‑cured tobacco sector recorded robust early returns in 2025, with farmers earning $279 million from the sale of 81.3 million kg of leaf by April 5, according to data from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), according to media reports.

Contract Sales Dominate

• Under the contract system, growers sold 77 million kg for $265 million—an average of $3.44 per kg.
• Contract floors saw top prices peak at $6.30 per kg.

Auction Performance

• Auction floors handled 4.3 million kg, raising $14.2 million at an average $3.30 per kg.
• The highest auction price reached $4.99 per kg.

Export Destinations & Value

• Exports totaled 50 million kg valued at $315.2 million ($6.31/kg).
• The Far East led purchases with 29.8 million kg worth $240.1 million at $8.05/kg.
• Africa imported 7.2 million kg ($30.3 million), the Middle East 5.5 million kg ($12.4 million), the European Union 4.4 million kg ($23.5 million), the Americas 2.3 million kg ($7.1 million), and Oceania 28,560 kg ($241,332 at $8.45/kg).

TIMB chief executive Emmanuel Matsvaire noted progress toward the board’s goal of processing 30 percent of the country’s crop locally. “We have raised value addition in cut rag and cigarettes from 2 percent to over 10 percent,” he said, highlighting the entry of more than 10 domestic cigarette manufacturers with combined capacity of 4.4 billion sticks annually.

Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s second‑largest foreign‑currency earner after gold, employing over 1.2 million people and supporting some six million dependents. Increased local processing, industry leaders argue, could boost revenue and retain more value at home.