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  • China Fuels Zimbabwe’s Record-Breaking $1.2B Tobacco Season

    China Fuels Zimbabwe’s Record-Breaking $1.2B Tobacco Season

    Zimbabwe’s 2025 tobacco marketing season closed yesterday (August 7), with farmers earning a record $1.2 billion from 352.7 million kilograms of the golden leaf, significantly surpassing the 300 million kg target. About 11% of total production was sold to China, according to the Tobacco Industry & Marketing Board (TIMB).

    “The global demand for tobacco also pushed the prices,” TIMB chairman Patrick Devenish said in an interview. “The Chinese are our biggest customers and the demand for nicotine through the vaping business also had a good effect for us.”

    According to TIMB data, the average 2025 price was $3.32/kg, slightly down from last year’s $3.43. Auction prices peaked at $4.99/kg, while contract growers saw highs of $6.30/kg. Lands and Agriculture Permanent Secretary Prof. Obert Jiri hailed the season as a milestone for the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan, urging greater local value addition, which currently stands at 10.15%, toward a 30% goal under the National Development Strategy 1.

    With 93% of production under contract farming, the government is working to refine the system and has proposed a $50 million agriculture fund. Stakeholders emphasized the need for local financing to reduce reliance on foreign currency and boost cigarette manufacturing, which currently produces 4 billion sticks annually against a 17 billion-stick capacity.

    Zimbabwe, the world’s fifth-largest tobacco producer, has over 140,000 active farmers.

  • PCA Auctioning Custom Humidors

    PCA Auctioning Custom Humidors

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has teamed up with HumidifGroup to produce a unique humidor called The Cloakroom, an elegant luxury humidor influenced by the monuments and architecture seen around Washington, D.C. Only 25 were made (one will be kept for display within the PCA’s office) and will be on display and offered for auction during the 2025 Premium Cigar Association trade show in New Orleans, April 11-14. These special humidors will be filled with exclusive premium cigars handcrafted by a leading manufacturer.

    “PCA is proud to partner with HumidifGroup for this unique project that captures the quintessential Washington D.C. style in a subtle way and serves as a functional piece of luxury and rarity,” said Joshua Habursky, executive director of the PCA. “Whether it be premium cigars or accessories, any collaboration with our member companies that bares the PCA logo must exude excellence. Our team had the pleasure to tour the Cigar Box Factory in Estelí to ensure the utmost quality and craftsmanship in this collector’s item.”

    “Cloakroom” refers to a phrase used by members of Congress for a place within the U.S. Capitol where cigars are smoked. This 50-capacity humidor features a pristine white, marble-like, high-gloss lacquer finish with exquisite gold details. The lid is adorned with an embossed PCA logo displayed in gold, while the front center of the humidor showcases vertical grooves that are painted in rich gold, reminiscent of historic columns. The custom metal handles, also in gold, are engraved with “PCA” and add a touch of sophistication to each side. Each humidor includes five trays fitted with gold handles. The humidor also has personalized humidifiers, thermometers, and hinges that all feature the PCA logo. Each humidor is packaged in a protective white box and a velvet/felt bag, both bearing the PCA logo in gold. The PCA logo and HumidifGroup’s NFC authentication technology are displayed on the inner lid. With a tap of a mobile device, the NFC tag will reveal the humidor’s unique serial number.

    Sales of the humidor will support the PCA’s Industry Defense Fund, established to support the organization’s ongoing advocacy efforts to defend the premium tobacco industry.