Zimbabwe has so far earned USD 458.5 million from 183.3 million kilograms sold since the selling season opened on 29 April this year, the Chronicle reported.

According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, the sales were 11.36 per cent lower than last year’s USD 517.2 million. The average price at auction and contract floors was USD 2.50 per kg, USD 0.47 higher than in the same period last year, the report said. In recent years, tobacco production has increased, with farmers selling a record 259 million kg last year, up from 253 million kg in 2018.
Tobacco is the country’s second largest foreign currency earner after gold. This year, tobacco was grown under difficult weather conditions, characterised by delayed rainfall and prolonged drought. The 2020 marketing season was also delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.