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Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
TOBACCO Industry players are considering the Covid-19 mitigation measures as preparations for this year’s marketing and selling season gather momentum.

While no date has been set for the selling of the golden leaf, farmers are optimistic of positive yields based on the good rainy season.

Tobacco is Zimbabwe’s major foreign currency earner generating over US$1 billion annually.

Traditionally, the crop’s marketing season begins between February and March and is sold through auction and contract arrangements.

Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairman Mr Patrick Devinish said in light of the Covid-19 pandemic stakeholders in the tobacco sector have made “very” big preparations, adding that this year’s selling season was also dependent on the decision Government will make on national lockdown.

“The small-scale crop, which is mainly planted in December, its too early to tell how that crop is doing. We originally thought that the market might open late February . . . but no decision has been made yet.

“The crop is a little late compared to last year, so the market will open later. The tobacco industry has made very big preparations to be Covid-ready, so that will also depend on what decision Government makes on lockdown as well,” he said.

According to early estimates from the tobacco sector, stakeholders this year project a yield of 200 million kilogrammes up from 185 million kgs attained last year.

“From our early estimates, we projected a yield of 200 million kgs bigger than last year’s 185 million kg.

“This year it could be bigger than that (200 million kgs), but then if rains continue, the crop could be light. But so far the quality of the crop is good,” said Mr Devinish.

In Zimbabwe, tobacco is grown largely in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Midlands, Masvingo and Matabeleland region, which is slowly venturing into the sector.

Mr Devinish said farmers with the irrigated crop were already reaping, curing and grading their golden leaf ahead of the opening of the marketing season.

“Farmers with the irrigated crop have been reaping, curing and grading.

“For the small holder, I don’t think so, but definitely the crop has benefitted from the good rains and if we have 10 days or two weeks of dry weather, that would be really good,” he said.

The country exports its flue-cured tobacco mainly to the United Arab Emirates, and the neighbouring South Africa, which is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner as well as around the world to more than 60 countries including Belgium, Indonesia, Japan, United States of America, United Kingdom, Yemen, China, France, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique and Egypt. — @okazunga