HARARE – Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has released projections for the 2025/26 tobacco growing season, pointing to what industry officials describe as a sector that is becoming leaner, more capital-intensive and increasingly productive, despite a sharp decline in the number of registered growers.
According to TIMB figures, the number of registered tobacco farmers has fallen by 19.3% to 101,443, yet the total planted area has expanded by 21.7% to 113,536 hectares. The contrasting trends suggest consolidation within the sector, with fewer but better-resourced farmers cultivating larger tracts of land and adopting more efficient production methods.
One of the clearest indicators of this shift, TIMB noted, is the continued expansion of irrigated tobacco. The irrigated planted area has increased to 24,000 hectares, up from 19,700 hectares last season, a development seen as critical in insulating production from erratic rainfall and climate-related risks.
“Investment in irrigation is changing the structure of tobacco farming in Zimbabwe,” a TIMB official said. “It allows for better yields, improved leaf quality and more predictable output, which is vital for maintaining competitiveness on the global market.”
Contract farming remains the dominant production model, accounting for about 75.6% of the planted area, as merchants and financiers continue to provide inputs and funding to growers. However, industry analysts say the 15% share of self- or bank-financed farmers is a notable development, offering renewed support for Zimbabwe’s traditional auction system, which has struggled in recent years amid the rise of contract sales.
“This mix is healthy for the industry,” said one tobacco analyst. “While contract farming ensures volumes and funding, independently financed growers help preserve price discovery at auctions and reduce over-reliance on merchants.”
On the output side, tobacco production is projected to rise to 400 million kilogrammes, up from 354 million kilogrammes last season, reinforcing the crop’s status as Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export and the second-biggest foreign currency earner after gold.
Export earnings stood at US$1.4 billion by mid-December 2025, slightly lower than the same period last year. TIMB attributed the marginal decline to weaker demand from traditional Asian markets, particularly China, which has been affected by shifting consumption patterns and tighter regulations. However, these losses were largely offset by strong growth in Europe and steady gains across African markets.
The European Union emerged as a standout performer, with tobacco export earnings to the bloc surging by 64.5% to US$169.6 million, reflecting rising demand for Zimbabwe’s high-quality flue-cured Virginia leaf. Despite a 14% year-on-year decline, the Far East remains Zimbabwe’s largest tobacco market, accounting for around 60% of total export value.
Looking ahead, TIMB said sustaining growth will depend on continued investment in irrigation, access to affordable finance, and measures to improve farmer viability and environmental sustainability, particularly in relation to curing methods and energy use.
“With the right policy support and investment, tobacco will remain a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s agricultural economy,” the board said, even as the country explores diversification into other high-value crops.
