Tobacco Exports Leap to 135,5 million Kgs
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Tobacco Exports Leap to 135,5 million Kgs

Tobacco seasonal exports rose to 7,3 million kilograms last week, grossing $51,6m from 4,2 million achieved during the same time last year, latest Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said.

This has seen the 2014 seasonal exports increasing to 135,5 million kg, TIMB said in its weekly report released Friday.

China leads the export destinations, snapping up 5m kgs of tobacco at an average price of $8,53 per kg fetching $392, 7m.

In comparison with same period last year, China remains the largest export destination for the golden leaf, after it also led the pack last year.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) comes as the second largest tobacco export destination this season, snapping 630 034 kgs of the leaf worth $41,8 million at an average price of $3,97 per kilogram.

South Africa, which is Zimbabwe largest trading partner in the world, comes as the third largest export destination of tobacco, taking up 488 020kgs worth $45,6 m at an average price of $4,62 per kilogram.

In terms of firm prices for the golden leaf, China remains in pole position as the best selling option. The average price for the leaf exported during the period under review stands at $8,43 per kilogram outperforming Belgium and South Africa.

Turning to grower registration update for 2015 season so far, TIMB said farmers’ appetite to grow the crop continues to grow with a total of 88 536 growers having registered for the 2015 season.

“To date, about 88 536 growers have registered for 2015 season as compared to about 86 060 who had registered by the same period last year,” TIMB said.

New registration for 2015 have now risen to 16 516.

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