The erratic rains and long dry spells forced farmers to plant late hence the late start of the marketing season.

ZIMBABWE’S 2016 tobacco sales have surpassed the 160 million kilogrammes target set by the industry’s regulator, with 167 million kilogrammes having been sold by day 69 of the tobacco marketing season.

Last year, the sector produced 198,95 million kg of tobacco earning the country US$584 million. Production was expected to decline by 20 percent following an El Nino induced drought that has left at least four million Zimbabweans in need of food aid.

Last year, the tobacco sales closed on July 15, but this year the auction floors opened late and expectations are that sales will continue until the end of July.

The erratic rains and long dry spells forced farmers to plant late hence the late start of the marketing season.

Besides poor rains, the decline in tobacco production was also attributed to the low prices offered by buyers last season, such that the area under crop for the 2016/2016 season declined to 89 500 hectares from 93 419 hectares during the previous season.

Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board show that from the ongoing tobacco sales, the country has earned US$400 million compared to US$469 million earned last year from the 158 million kg that had been sold during the same period.

Prices at the auction floors have improved with a daily average price of US$3 per kg for contract sales and US$2,59 for auction sales having been recorded.

The highest price remains at US$6,25 per kg for contract sales and US$4,99 for auction sales, while the lowest price fetched this season is pegged at US$0,10 per kg.

Export performance for 2016 shows that the country has exported 45, 1 million kg valued at US$254 million to Indonesia, South Africa, China, Sudan, Russia and Sudan.

As farmers begin preparations for the 2016/2017 crop, statistics from the Tobacco Research Board show that 221 215 grammes of tobacco seeds have been sold while the Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association has sold 92 310 grammes.

The tobacco seeds are enough to cover 52 200 hectares.

Expectations are that with a 75 percent chance of a La Nina season, between November and December, the 2016/2017 agricultural season would be far much better that the 2015/2016 agricultural year.

La Nina is a phenomenon that usually follows El Nino which is characterised by heavy rains.
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