via Virginia tobacco exports up 327pc | The Herald February 3, 2015
Zimbabwe’s virginia tobacco exports rose 327 percent to 23,5 million kg last month from 5,5 million during the same period last year as prices firmed to $7,70 per kilogramme from $4,22 per kg during the prior period.
As a result earnings from the exports grew by 680 percent to $181,7 million during the period under review from $23,2 million during the comparative period last year.
Incidentally there were fewer importers during the month under review with only 22 countries showing interest compared to 26 during the same period last year.
China, which topped the importers’ list last year, also led during the month after spending $166,5 million on importing 19,1 million kg at an average price of $8,72 per kg followed by South Africa which imported 1,05 million kg for $3,3 million at $3,21 per kg and Russia which spent $925 402 on 667 200kg at $1,39 per kg.
Also in the top five importers were United Arab Emirates (UAE), which paid $2,5 million for 650 034 kg at $3,97 per kg and Belgium which imported 393 470 kg for $1,8 million at $4,65 per kg.
During the same period last year China was the leading importer after buying 1,2 million kg for $11,8 million at $9,39 per kg followed by UAE which spent $3,9 million on 1,2 million kg at $3,19 per kg, Belgium that took up 749 520 kg at $1,2 million for $1,70 per kg, Vietnam 480 960 kg for $954 760 at $1,99 per kg and Russia 395 400 kg for $988 524 at $2,50 per kg.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco crop is highly regarded by most importers all over the world because of its high quality.
Meanwhile the number of farmers that have registered for the season is now 88 640, with the bulk 41 212 coming from the communal area followed by 32 542 from the A1 sector, 7 924 from the A2 sector and 6 962 from the small scale sector.
Of the 88 640 farmers, 30 807 are in Mashonaland West, 26 276 in Mashonaland Central, 15 445 in Manicaland, 15 276 Mashonland East, 447 midlands, 376 Masvingo and 13 in Matebelalnda.
New growers constituted about 18 percent or 16 540 of the registered farmers. Of these, 10 105 are communal farmers, 5347 are A1, 546 A2 and 542 small-scale commercial famers.
The largest group of new farmers are from Manicaland which has 5 844 followed by Mashonaland Central with 4 605, Mashonaland East 2939, Mashonaland West 2 773, Matebeleland 203, Midlands 168 and Masvingo eight.
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