- Zimbabwe's tobacco export earnings hit a record $1.3 billion in 2024, marking the second consecutive year above $1 billion
- This achievement follows $1.2 billion earned in 2023, despite challenges from El Niño-induced droughts
- Earnings growth was driven by a $0.13 increase in average prices per kilogram, reaching $3.55
Harare-Zimbabwe's tobacco export earnings reached an unprecedented $1.3 billion in 2024, marking the second consecutive year the industry has surpassed the $1 billion milestone.
This achievement builds on the $1.2 billion earned in 2023, despite challenges posed by El Niño-induced droughts.
The growth in earnings was attributed to a $0.13 increase in average prices per kilogram to $3.55 per dollar.
In the entire 2024 fiscal year the country produced tobacco that was less than 296 million kilograms produced in 2023 with exports valued to $280.3 million, contributing 30.5% to the country's overall export figure in 2024, according to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat).
The tobacco industry remains a vital contributor to Zimbabwe's national economy, ranking behind gold.
However, global efforts to reduce tobacco consumption are expected to impact the industry's future prospects.
The prevalence of tobacco smoking is projected to decrease from 27% in 2000 to 15.4% by 2025, primarily due to health awareness campaigns.
Zimbabwe's tobacco production is exported to countries to China, Indonesia, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa, among others.
However, declining global demand may hinder the country's tobacco earnings.
Tobacco has uses beyond cigarette production, including in teas, as a laxative, for headache relief, and as an expectorant.
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