Tobacco Sales Reach 354.8m Kilogrammes

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has registered a major boost this year, with tobacco sales reaching 354.8 million kilogrammes, up from 231.8 million kilogrammes sold during the same period in 2024.

Cotton deliveries have also doubled to 28 205 407 kilogrammes, compared to 13 551 021 kilogrammes recorded last year.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka said the Grain Marketing Board was holding 135 896 metric tonnes of grain as at September 2, 2025.

Of this stock, 70 666 metric tonnes was wheat, while the remainder comprised maize, traditional grains, and genetically modified maize imports.

“The GMB has so far taken in 8.3 percent of marketed crops compared to 12.7 percent during the same period last year, bringing the total marketed grain to 840 562 metric tonnes,” said Dr Masuka.

He noted that wheat production had exceeded national targets. “A total of 122 566 hectares of wheat have been planted, surpassing the target of 120 000 hectares.

There is sufficient manpower, vehicles, sprayers, and chemicals to deal with quelea bird outbreaks, and localised district first responder teams have already been activated,” he said.

The strong performance follows a weaker 2024 season when marketed grain volumes were lower, tobacco sales stood at 231.8 million kilogrammes, and cotton deliveries reached only 13.5 million kilogrammes.