Published: 4 hours ago

Zimbabwe's tobacco industry is set for a major boost with the inaugural Zim-China Tobacco Expo, scheduled to take place from September 17 to 19 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel and Conference Centre in Harare. The event, a collaborative initiative between Zimbabwean and Chinese tobacco stakeholders, is expected to provide a platform for market development, technological exchange, and the deepening of crucial bilateral ties.

The Expo comes amid a record-breaking tobacco marketing season, with over 352 million kilogrammes sold since the start of 2025, surpassing the previous 296 million kg record set in 2023. The sales have generated more than US$1 billion in revenue, reinforcing tobacco's status as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's agricultural economy.

The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), Zimbabwe's regulatory and advisory body, and the Asia-Europe and Africa Joint Trade and Investment Promotion Association (AEA Association), an international NGO with extensive networks across Asia, Europe, and Africa. The AEA Association brings expertise in global business cooperation, particularly in alignment with China's "Belt and Road Initiative," and will assist in managing logistics and exhibition arrangements for the Expo.

The Zim-China Tobacco Expo aims to create a space where Zimbabwean producers can showcase their premium leaf and expand into new markets, while Chinese counterparts introduce advanced agricultural equipment, ranging from tools for small-scale farmers to sophisticated irrigation systems. These technologies are expected to enhance productivity and efficiency within Zimbabwe's tobacco sector.

"This Expo is a game-changer for our tobacco industry," said TIMB chief executive officer Emmanuel Matsvaire. He emphasized that the event offers farmers and processors direct access to international markets and cutting-edge technologies, urging local companies to seize this opportunity.

The event also highlights the strong partnership between Zimbabwe and China in the tobacco sector. China remains the leading importer of Zimbabwean tobacco, accounting for more than half of the country's exports to the Asian giant. From April 2024 to March 2025, tobacco and manufactured tobacco products contributed US$729 million of Zimbabwe's exports to China. Chinese firms, including Tian Ze Tobacco, a subsidiary of China Tobacco, have supported the industry through contract farming schemes, providing farmers with inputs and technical guidance that have been key to the sector's recovery and growth.

Experts believe that strengthening these collaborations could open doors for local value addition, with opportunities to process raw tobacco into cut tobacco and cigarettes, boosting revenue and creating jobs. The Expo is also expected to highlight sustainable tobacco curing technologies, including methods that reduce reliance on wood, promoting environmentally friendly practices in Zimbabwe.

The Zim-China Tobacco Expo is designed for a wide range of stakeholders, including tobacco farmers, merchants, processors, banks, government officials, and members of the public, all of whom will benefit from exposure to new markets, investment opportunities, and industry innovations.

Anticipation is high for the Expo, which promises to be a landmark event in Zimbabwe's agricultural calendar, fostering innovation, strengthening bilateral ties, and contributing to the continued growth and prosperity of the nation's tobacco industry.
- Southern Eye

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