HARARE: Zimbabwe has earned $670 million from tobacco exports as China continues to be the major market destination, statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board have revealed.Zimbabwe exported 45,2 million kilogrammes of the golden leaf worth $373 million to China at an average price of $8,75 per kg. This is an increase from the 32,7 million kg of tobacco worth $267 million exported to China during the same period last year.
South Africa has also maintained its position as the major African market destination for Zimbabwean tobacco. Zimbabwe’s southern neighbour imported 19,3 million kg of the crop worth $56,4 million at an average price of $2,93 per kg. Countries offering the highest prices were New Zealand ($9,75 per kg), Holland ($8,71 per kg), Philippines ($6,94 per kg) and Iran ($6,49 per kg). TIMB technical officer for Manicaland Mr Vine Zungu said Zimbabwean tobacco was in high demand and farmers should produce the crop accroding to market requirements to get high prices.
