By Aldridge Dzvene
Tobacco deliveries continue to soar across Zimbabwe, with the latest figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board revealing a staggering 50 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Farmers have already delivered over 345 million kilogrammes of the golden leaf, making this one of the most successful seasons in recent memory and propelling tobacco beyond national output expectations.
The export crop has once again cemented its place as Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earner, outpacing all other commodities. This phenomenal growth signals more than just a bumper harvest, it is a reflection of the resilience of local farmers and the impact of sustained government support. The success is widely seen as a vindication of the land reform programme and a key indicator that the agricultural recovery strategy under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is bearing fruit.
“Credit goes to the farmers who have demonstrated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, is not just a slogan. Such a high level of production is testimony that the land reform program is a success and should send a clear message to the world that Zimbabwe is prepared to reach greater heights in the global tobacco market,” said Tobacco Expert Mr Dickson Kubvakacha.
For the first time in history, Zimbabwean tobacco farmers have collectively earned over one billion US dollars from sales. This milestone represents a shift from simply being producers to becoming key players in the global value chain. With international demand for Zimbabwean tobacco rising and the country’s reputation for high-quality leaf strengthening, there is renewed momentum around the long-term vision to turn tobacco into a five-billion-dollar industry.
However, this success also reignites the conversation on value addition. Currently, a significant portion of Zimbabwe’s tobacco is exported raw, limiting revenue and job creation opportunities. Attention is now turning to expanding local processing capabilities and increasing domestic financing, allowing farmers and entrepreneurs to move up the value chain. By promoting beneficiation and reducing reliance on external processors, Zimbabwe can retain more of the wealth generated by its most lucrative crop.
Government’s consistent support through favourable policies, targeted interventions, and infrastructure investment is playing a critical role in this turnaround. With proper accountability, transparency in pricing systems, and equitable access to financing, the tobacco sector is poised to not only sustain this growth but also transform the broader economy. The challenge ahead is to build on this momentum, ensure environmental sustainability, and channel tobacco profits into rural development and broader industrialisation goals.
The tobacco boom is more than a success story, it is a national signal. A symbol that with proper planning, empowerment of farmers, and vision-driven leadership, Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector can rise again, one leaf at a time.
