The volume of flue-cured tobacco increased by 30 per cent in 2014, according to Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) statistics, Zimbabwean media organisation News Day reported.

Tobacco production rose from 166.6 million kg in 2013 to 216.2 million kg during the 2014 marketing season, which ended on 12 September.
A twelve per cent increase in earnings from USD 612.1 million (EUR 485.95 million) to USD 685.2 million (EUR 544 million), was also recorded.
Despite this, the average price of tobacco dropped by 14 per cent to USD 3.17 (EUR 2.52) per kilogram.
The volume of tobacco generated through contracts also rose. In 2014, 76.5 per cent of total production was contracted, while 23.5 per cent came from auctioned tobacco. This compares to 68 per cent contract and 32 per cent auction the previous year.