Farmers bring more tobacco to auction places across Zimbabwe every day. Since markets opened last month, they have already sold 41.6 million kilograms, earning 143 million dollars. Many farmers just finished sorting leaves into grades as harvest season ends. They pack everything into neat bales before trucks haul them off to market. Sales happen faster these days because most growers have finished their field work.
Money paid for good tobacco makes farmers happy this season. They believe prices might rise even higher as better-quality leaves arrive later. Numbers from the Tobacco Board show that most sales happened through contract buying. The contract system has moved 39.2 million kilograms, worth 135.2 million dollars. Independent growers without contracts sold much less—just 2.4 million kilograms, earning 7.7 million dollars total.
Last year around this time, farmers had delivered more tobacco. The Board recorded 56.7 million kilograms valued at 200 million dollars by day twenty-three. Buyers pay an average of $3.43 per kilogram this season, slightly below last year's $3.53 rate. Contract sales fetch better money overall compared to regular auctions. The highest price reached $6.30 per kilogram through contract sales. Regular auction prices peaked at $4.99 per kilogram maximum. Some poor quality leaves sold for as little as ten cents per kilogram.
Peter Petere planted tobacco for his first time this year. The Raffingora area farmer expressed happiness about how markets handle payments. "I cannot complain; payments happen early. I sold my eight bales for reasonable money. I feel very happy," he explained after finishing his sales. Many new growers entered the tobacco business recently as prices stayed strong over several years.
Tobacco creates jobs across rural Zimbabwe during growing seasons. Workers help plant tiny seedlings and harvest mature leaves months later. Curing barns need constant attention as leaves dry slowly over wood fires. This process gives Zimbabwe tobacco its famous golden color that buyers want. Auction floors buzz with activity as thousands arrive daily, bringing their crops to market. The government watches sales closely because tobacco brings needed foreign currency into the country each year.
Money paid for good tobacco makes farmers happy this season. They believe prices might rise even higher as better-quality leaves arrive later. Numbers from the Tobacco Board show that most sales happened through contract buying. The contract system has moved 39.2 million kilograms, worth 135.2 million dollars. Independent growers without contracts sold much less—just 2.4 million kilograms, earning 7.7 million dollars total.
Last year around this time, farmers had delivered more tobacco. The Board recorded 56.7 million kilograms valued at 200 million dollars by day twenty-three. Buyers pay an average of $3.43 per kilogram this season, slightly below last year's $3.53 rate. Contract sales fetch better money overall compared to regular auctions. The highest price reached $6.30 per kilogram through contract sales. Regular auction prices peaked at $4.99 per kilogram maximum. Some poor quality leaves sold for as little as ten cents per kilogram.
Peter Petere planted tobacco for his first time this year. The Raffingora area farmer expressed happiness about how markets handle payments. "I cannot complain; payments happen early. I sold my eight bales for reasonable money. I feel very happy," he explained after finishing his sales. Many new growers entered the tobacco business recently as prices stayed strong over several years.
Tobacco creates jobs across rural Zimbabwe during growing seasons. Workers help plant tiny seedlings and harvest mature leaves months later. Curing barns need constant attention as leaves dry slowly over wood fires. This process gives Zimbabwe tobacco its famous golden color that buyers want. Auction floors buzz with activity as thousands arrive daily, bringing their crops to market. The government watches sales closely because tobacco brings needed foreign currency into the country each year.
