Tobacco entrepreneur Simon Rudland will open a 120 million dollar processing facility in Harare's Aspindale industrial area as Zimbabwe pursues a five billion dollar industry target. The Cut Rag Processors plant has operated since early 2024, but received official recognition when President Emmerson Mnangagwa attended the ceremony.
Company executives indicate the German and Italian equipped facility triples previous capacity and aims to shift Zimbabwe away from exporting 98 percent of its tobacco unprocessed. The operation targets Asian markets while supporting domestic value addition efforts. Rudland's Pioneer Corporation group employs over 10,000 people across multiple sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, finance, and mining, with operations extending into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The businessman also controls Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation, which produces the Rudland & George cigarette brand, launched a decade ago.
Company executives indicate the German and Italian equipped facility triples previous capacity and aims to shift Zimbabwe away from exporting 98 percent of its tobacco unprocessed. The operation targets Asian markets while supporting domestic value addition efforts. Rudland's Pioneer Corporation group employs over 10,000 people across multiple sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, finance, and mining, with operations extending into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The businessman also controls Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation, which produces the Rudland & George cigarette brand, launched a decade ago.
