HARARE, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe on Wednesday officially opened its 2026 tobacco marketing season in Harare, alongside the launch of a new five-year plan aimed at boosting value addition in the key export sector.
The Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan II (2026-2030) aims to enhance productivity, sustainability and farmer resilience, while increasing value addition and beneficiation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said that Zimbabwe continues to consolidate its position as a global player in tobacco production, and the objective is not only to grow volumes but also to deepen value addition.
"Value addition and beneficiation will be increased from 11 percent to 30 percent by creating an enabling environment for local processing of cut rag cigarettes and other tobacco products," said Ncube.
He said the target would be supported by climate-smart agriculture, irrigation development and farm mechanization programs, as well as efforts to localize up to 70 percent of tobacco production financing.
The new plan will diversify export markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area, he added.
Tobacco remains a significant player in Zimbabwe's agricultural sector. The season opened with a first-bale price of 4.60 U.S. dollars per kg, slightly down from 4.65 dollars last year. ■
