Smaller crop could help Zimbabwe’s growers

Zimbabwe is this year likely to produce between 183 million and 194 million kg of flue-cured tobacco, down from 216 million kg last year, according to a story in The Herald quoting figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB). The 10-15 percent decline in the crop was said by the TIMB’s chief executive Dr. Andrew Matibiri to have been caused by unfavourable weather conditions this season.

Meanwhile, the TIMB chairperson, Monica Chinamasa, said that the decline in production this year, while worrying, could work in favour of farmers because demand for the country’s tobacco had remained stable at about 230 million kg. “Last year there was demand for 230 million kg and we managed to sell all our tobacco,” she said.

“This year the demand has remained constant, which means that there is likely to be competition in terms of buying tobacco, which should push up prices.”