The Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) projected that this year's tobacco crop would plummet after last year's rebound.

The ZTA said tobacco production, which rebounded to 73 million kilogrammes and raked an estimated USD 170 million last year, would tumble below 70 million kilogrammes this year, owing to challenges ranging from input shortages and a sudden shift by some farmers into the production of less capital-intensive crops.
Andrew Ferreira, the ZTA president, said the irrigated tobacco crop had been affected by last year's water shortages while the current wet season would affect average yields for the dry land tobacco crop.
Economic analysts warned this week that the drop in tobacco production could further hasten the economic meltdown marked by out of control inflation and shortages of essentials.
Merchants are reportedly shifting their attention to nascent regional tobacco growing countries such as Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania, which are taking steps to boost output.
At its peak in 2000, Zimbabwe produced a record 237 million kilogrammes of tobacco, raking in USD 400 million. But earnings have been falling since then, recording an estimated USD 170 million last year. (sra)