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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE has earned more than $700 million from 122 million kilogrammes of tobacco that have been exported to different parts of the world since the beginning of the year.In a weekly bulletin, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) indicated that as of November 21, 2014 more than 50 countries across the globe had bought Zimbabwe’s flue-cured golden leaf with a combined value of $716,2 million at an average price of $587 a kg.

China was leading the buyers having so far spent $395,9 million on importing 46,4 million kg at an average price of $8,52 per kg.

In second position was Belgium, which has so far bought 24,1 million kg worth $106,6 million at an average price of $4,42 a kg while Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner, South Africa was on third position consuming 12 million kg worth $47,3 million with an average price of $3,96 a kg.

The United Arab Emirates and Indonesia were on third and fourth positions spending $29,1 million on 9,2 million kg and $27,2 million on 4,5 million kg respectively.

The country exports flue cured tobacco to countries such as Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malawi, Denmark, Kenya, Egypt and New Zealand.

Over the years, the tobacco sector has been pivotal in supporting the country’s  economy.

Due to better prices the tobacco sector has been offering compared to cash crops such as cotton, a number of farmers have shown keen interest in growing the golden leaf.

“. . . 87,169 growers have so far registered to grow the golden leaf during the 2014/15 farming season up from 86,992 recorded last week. During a similar period in 2013, approximately 84,070 growers had registered to grow tobacco. Growers registering for the first time now stand at 16,193 compared to 25,857 new growers who registered in a corresponding period last year,” said TIMB.