Zimbabwe’s Tobacco, Zimbabwe’s Pride: Inside the 96-Year Stewardship of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association

The auction floor wakes early. In the cool light before buyers crowd the lines, graders nod through stacks of flue-cured leaf and a district councillor from the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) answers a grower’s question about this week’s prices. The scene could be 1974 or 2024. Since 1928, the growers’ voice has been present in rooms like this – quietly practical, focused on getting producers the information, access and representation they need to farm and sell well.

A recognised growers’ voice since 1928

Formed in 1928, the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association is the country’s recognised association for tobacco producers. Its mandate is straightforward: promote and develop the flue-cured tobacco industry in Zimbabwe, and advance and protect the interests of all classes of producers. That work spans national representation through district councillors and formal roles in sector bodies, as well as being a founding member of the International Tobacco Growers’ Association – a reminder that Zimbabwe’s growers have long engaged with regional and global counterparts.

Context: a measurable rebound in production

Zimbabwe’s tobacco output has rebounded strongly in recent seasons. After setting a national record of about 296 million kilograms in 2023, the country went on to surpass 300 million kilograms in 2025 – crossing a symbolic target outlined in the Tobacco Value Chain plans – and pushing farmer earnings toward the US$1 billion mark for the season. These figures place Zimbabwe among Africa’s leading producers and restore a measure of confidence after earlier drought-affected years.

Data points (latest seasons)

• 2023 marketed leaf: ~296 million kg (record at the time).
• 2025 marketed leaf: 300 million+ kg (new all-time record), with farmer revenues around US$1 billion.

What ZTA does – six practical pillars

Representation & policy
ZTA represents grower concerns at sector forums and national level, including engagement with the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board and the Tobacco Research Board. It maintains district-level councillor networks and holds regular councillors’ meetings, while providing legal representation on tobacco-related matters where needed.

Market intelligence
Producers receive marketing information for local and international markets, routine cost-of-production and cash-flow analysis, and timely updates via email, SMS and WhatsApp, including the long-running “Dear Growers” letters. ZTA also produces the quarterly Zimbabwe Tobacco Today, which consolidates seasonal insights for members.

Productive linkages & finance
The association facilitates practical linkages with contract-growing companies, conducts consultations with input suppliers and financial institutions, and assists with coal procurement and logistics during peak curing windows – removing friction at critical points in the production cycle.

Research, training & extension
ZTA maintains working links with training and research institutions – including the Tobacco Research Board (TRB) and allied training bodies – to support small-scale development, extension services, field days and short courses that lift on-farm practice.

Sustainability & good practice
Beyond agronomic technique, ZTA promotes good agricultural and labour practices and works with the Forestry Commission and partner initiatives on afforestation – an increasingly important pillar as the sector balances productivity with environmental stewardship.

International voice & visibility
As a founding member of the International Tobacco Growers’ Association, ZTA participates in cross-border conversations affecting growers’ livelihoods, while maintaining a public-facing information flow through its website and social channels for transparency and stakeholder awareness.

Impact, then outlook

The association’s work shows up in practical places: growers receiving timely market and logistics alerts; district-level discussions that turn into training days; and sector engagement that improves transparency around prices and exports. Looking ahead, priorities remain steady and public-interest focused: clearer market information, resilience on energy and logistics, continued work on sustainable practices including afforestation, and targeted support that helps smallholders participate competitively in an industry that has demonstrably bounced back.

Sources: Zimbabwe Tobacco Association; Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) seasonal reports; Tobacco Research Board (TRB); Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (Zimbabwe); International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA); Reuters; Bloomberg; ZBC News; The Herald (Zimbabwe)