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Buyers inspect the crop at the auction floors in Harare in this file photo

Oliver Kazunga Acting Business Editor
ZIMBABWE has this year exported more than five million kilogrammes of tobacco valued at $22,3 million, data from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) show.TIMB indicated that as of January 24, a total of 23 countries had already imported 5,076,268kg worth $22,314,304,99 at an average price of $4,40 a kg.

“The total volume of exported tobacco stands at 5 million kg at an average price of $4,40 per kg,” it said.
China, which last year remained the major importer of flue-cured tobacco for the fourth year running continued with the topmost spot having so far imported 1,261 million kg valued $11,8 million.

The United Arab Emirates was on second position having taken 1,129 million kg worth $3,8 million while Belgium was on third position importing 749,520 kg of the golden leaf valued at $1,270 million.

Vietnam and Russia were among the top five major importers of Zimbabwe tobacco importing 480,960kg and 296,400kg respectively.
The two European countries-Vietnam and Russia have so far spent $954,759,60 and $4404,028 respectively on the golden leaf from Zimbabwe.

Last year, flue-cured tobacco exports increased by 18,2 percent from the 2012 levels to 153 million kg raking in $877,5 million.
The exports for 2013 went to 51 countries compared to 52 destinations across the globe in 2012.

Meanwhile, TIMB indicated that more than 87,000 growers have so far registered for the 2014 season.
“To date, about 87,281 growers have registered for the 2014 season compared to about 65,444 who had registered by the       same period last year,” said the marketing board.

Over the years, the tobacco sub-sector has become one of Zimbabwe’s major agricultural exports accounting for 10,7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product in 2012.

Since the adoption of a multi-currency system in February 2009, the sector has contributed significantly to Zimbabwe’s economy through liquidity support at a time when economic recovery efforts were impacted negatively by liquidity challenges.

In 2013, the country aimed to produce at least 170 million kg of tobacco and at the close of the season 166,5 million kg of the golden leaf had been sold at an average price of $3, 70 per kg, realising $616,1 million.