By Staff Reporter
The 2026 Zimbabwe tobacco marketing season opened on March 4, 2026, with the first auction bale fetching US$4,60 per kg.
Although the market has been characterised by depressed prices, low-grade bales falling as low as US$0,50 to US$0,60 per kg amid protests from farmers regarding payment methods.
Despite a strong opening day, prices plummeted for mid-to-lower grades with TIMB citing a global supply surplus and reduced demand from major buyers like China as factors driving down prices.
Farmers expressed dissatisfaction over mandatory payout structures that include 30% of their earnings paid in ZiG, which they claim erodes their real income.
The industry projects a total crop output of up to 400 million kg, while more than 64 million kg of tobacco has already been sold across the country.
Market analysis shows that Initial prices at auction floors in Harare dropped significantly compared to previous seasons, sparking outrage among growers who had anticipated higher returns.
While some premium grades sold well, large portions of the crop are being valued at well below farmer expectations, leading many to pull their bales from the floors in protest.
Industry veteran and tobacco buyer Cyprian Foya said global conditions would be decisive: “The pricing dynamics this year will hinge heavily on global conditions rather than local expectations,” he said, adding: “There is a global oversupply and it’s well known how such situations affect prices. Zimbabwe tobacco remains a priority choice, but we cannot control limitations in demand. Like any commodity, prices fluctuate and will eventually return to equilibrium.”
Despite the challenging outlook, the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board (TIMB) said exports remained robust, with Zimbabwe earning USD 399.8 million from tobacco exports by mid-February 2026. TIMB chairperson Peter Davenish said: “This underscores global confidence in Zimbabwe’s tobacco quality and reliability,” speaking at the official opening of the auction floors in Harare.
