Buyers check on tobacco at the Tobacco Auction Floors in Harare, Zimbabwe, March 9, 2023. Zimbabwe's 2023 tobacco marketing season opened on Wednesday. Tobacco is Zimbabwe's largest agricultural export earner and the second-largest commodity export earner after gold. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
HARARE, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's 2023 tobacco marketing season opened on Wednesday with Vice President Constantino Chiwenga calling for increased value addition of the crop before it is exported.
"It is disheartening that we export 98 percent of our tobacco in semi-processed form, which means we are literally exporting jobs and value," Chiwenga said when he officially opened the selling season.
The first kg was sold for 4.35 U.S. dollars compared to 4.20 U.S. dollars last year.
Chiwenga said he was pleased to note that the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is in advanced discussions for the value addition of tobacco with both local and foreign investors.
Zimbabwe is projected to produce 230 million kilograms of tobacco this year, up from 212 million kg last year following good rains and increased hectarage.
Chiwenga said Zimbabwe is aiming to increase tobacco production to 300 million kg and the level of value addition from the current 2 percent to 30 percent by 2025.
Patrick Devenish, the chairman of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, said there was increased appetite by farmers to grow the crop, as 3,283 new growers were registered.
Devenish said sales will be conducted in Harare as well as in five decentralized centers throughout the country.
Tobacco is Zimbabwe's largest agricultural export earner and the second-largest commodity export earner after gold. ■
A farmer checks on her tobacco before an auction at the Tobacco Auction Floors in Harare, Zimbabwe, March 9, 2023. Zimbabwe's 2023 tobacco marketing season opened on Wednesday. Tobacco is Zimbabwe's largest agricultural export earner and the second-largest commodity export earner after gold.(Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)