(Ecofin Agency) - In Zimbabwe, tobacco sales broke a new record reaching 237,100 tons in the 2017-18 season, 200 tons more than the previous record of 236,900 tons in 2000.

According to Reuters which reported the news July 20, this good performance achieved a week before the end of the season was spurred by a growing demand in China, main leaf importer, and a rebound in private investments. This reflects strong foreign currency earnings as the country exports nearly 90% of production.

“Despite a mid-season drought in January, farmers exceeded expectation and this ranks as the best year in terms of production,” said Isheunesu Moyo, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) spokesperson.

TIMB figures showed that in 2018 the subsector employs about 111,000 farmers against 81,000 a year earlier. Tobacco accounted for a quarter of total export revenues in 2017 ($3.8 billion).

Espoir Olodo