KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe’s 2025 tobacco sales will begin on March 5.
- A biometric system will track farmers and curb side marketing.
- Tobacco exports generated $1.4 billion in revenue last year.
Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest tobacco producer, is preparing to kick off its 2025 marketing season in early March.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has announced that tobacco auction floors will open on March. This would be followed by contract sales on March 6.
The introduction of biometric registration this season is set to ensure only verified farmers participate in sales. The system aims to curb side marketing—a persistent challenge in the industry.
Biometric system to improve market transparency
TIMB’s public affairs officer, Chelesani Tsarwe, said the new system will link each farmer’s unique grower number to their fingerprints and include GPS coordinates of their farms and households.
“This biometric grower management system is designed to eliminate fraudulent activities and create a more transparent and efficient marketing process,” Tsarwe explained.
According to New Zimbabwe, the data collection exercise will take place at key selling points across the country to ensure a smooth transition into the new system.
Tobacco exports and economic impact
Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s largest agricultural export, providing a significant source of foreign currency. In 2024, farmers harvested over 240 million kilograms, generating more than $1.4 billion in export earnings.
Zimbabwe exports its tobacco leaves to over 60 countries, with China, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa being the largest buyers.
The government is now pushing for more local processing to increase revenue and create jobs through value addition.
