Published: 3 hours ago

Tobacco seed sales in Zimbabwe have risen sharply ahead of the 2025-2026 farming season, with a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).

The latest figures show that 1.2 million grammes of tobacco seed have already been sold, a development that signals strong preparations by farmers for the new season. Farmers with irrigation facilities have already sown their seedbeds, while those without are expected to complete planting in the coming weeks.

The surge in seed sales has been driven by the adoption of modern, water-efficient techniques such as the float tray system, which reduces labour intensity in seedling establishment. However, sector players note that challenges such as limited water supply and high tillage costs remain.

Despite these hurdles, Zimbabwe's tobacco industry has entered the season on a promising note, buoyed by favourable market prices. The sector has shown impressive growth in recent years, with the country producing a record 352.7 million kilogrammes of tobacco in the 2025 marketing season — a 53 percent jump from the previous year.

With both seed sales and production on the rise, industry stakeholders say confidence is growing in Zimbabwe's position as one of the world's leading tobacco producers.
- fingaz

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