Zimbabwe-China Expo Ignites Ambition for 500 Million Kg Tobacco Target
The inaugural Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo, held in Victoria Falls last week, marked a powerful turning point for African agriculture, solidifying Zimbabwe’s position as the continent’s premier tobacco powerhouse and launching an ambitious plan to grow output to 500 million kilogrammes by 2030 through deepening value addition and sustainable innovation.
Policy Convergence: Uniting Vision and Value
The historic Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo successfully brought together China and Africa’s major tobacco-producing nations—dubbed the “T5” (Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique)—under the unifying theme: “From Leaf to Legacy – Connecting Markets, Creating Value.” Officially launched by Hon. Dr Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, the event attracted over 300 delegates and 60 exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge advancements across the industry.
Dr Masuka described the expo as “a defining moment for the sector, uniting vision and value.” The platform reinforced the strategic partnership between Zimbabwe and its principal market, China, which currently purchases over 100 million kg annually. This relationship, which began with contract farming in 2005 after the sector experienced a severe financial drought, proved to be a vibrant lifeline that led to the rebirth of Zimbabwe’s tobacco-growing sector.
The accompanying business forum focused on critical priorities: strengthening the country’s position as a sustainable source, empowering local merchants, and advancing the government’s crucial value addition and beneficiation drive.
The New Target: Efficiency as the Engine of Growth
The Zimbabwean tobacco sector is celebrating a monumental logistical and agronomic victory. The 2025 marketing season saw national production reach 355 million kg, confidently surpassing the Government’s target of 300 million kg. Buoyed by this success, the Ministry has boldly set a new, optimistic target of 500 million kg by 2030.
This new target is not merely about volume; it is inextricably linked to the NDS1 (National Development Strategy 1) pillar of sustainable growth. The forum directly addressed the biggest sustainability concern: the widespread use of wood for curing such large volumes of tobacco, which contributes to deforestation. Dr. Masuka issued a powerful mandate, alluding to the complete removal of wood for curing by the year 2030.
This policy shift is supported by contractor-led efforts in growing sustainable gumtree woodlots under the Sustainable Afforestation Association, alongside vital research into energy-efficient barns and alternative curing fuels undertaken by the Kutsaga research institute.
| Term | Simple Definition |
| Value Addition & Beneficiation | The process of turning raw tobacco leaf into a higher-value product (e.g., stripping or processing it into nicotine extracts) before export, allowing Zimbabwe to retain more profit per kilogramme. |
| Contract Farming | An agreement where a buyer (e.g., a Chinese company) provides inputs, finance, and technical support to farmers, guaranteeing a market for the produce at an agreed-upon price. |
| Phytosanitary Standards | Health and safety regulations that exported plant products (like tobacco) must meet to ensure they are free of pests and diseases. Essential for accessing international markets. |
The Heroes of the Value Chain: Excellence and Empowerment
The expo concluded with a glittering cocktail event honouring the dedicated hardworking farmers and industry stakeholders who made the record-breaking harvest possible. These champion farmers serve as the ultimate barometer of policy success and agricultural proficiency:
- Commercial Farmer Excellence: Denford Mutwiwa of Headlands was honoured for his superior productivity, superior crop quality, and his pioneering adoption of new technologies across his 330-hectare operation.
- Smallholder Champion: Nemrody Gochamahove of Mvurwi was recognised as the smallholder farmer of the year for outstanding efficiency, high yield, and unwavering adherence to quality standards—proving that precision farming is scalable regardless of plot size.
Zimbabwe Anchor Section: Empowerment and Sustainability
The awards were heavily weighted toward FFA’s core focus on women and youth empowerment:
- Women in Leadership: Monica Chinamasa was honoured as the female farmer recognised for excellence, leadership, and mentorship within the tobacco value chain, inspiring other women entrepreneurs to take up leadership roles.
- Youth Innovation: Ordripha Zishiri was awarded Young Farmer of the Year for his innovation and productivity, showcasing that the next generation is driving technological advancement in the field.
- Environmental Stewardship: The Tobacco Leaf Exporters Association of Zimbabwe was honoured as the Environmental Stewardship Champion for its commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical labour practices, ensuring that the industry’s growth does not compromise the nation’s natural resources.
The success of the inaugural Zimbabwe-China Tobacco Expo confirms a renewed commitment to a profitable and sustainable future, grounded in high-level partnerships and validated by the success of dedicated farmers across the country.
FFA urges all stakeholders to intensify investment in sustainable curing technologies to meet the 2030 wood-removal deadline, ensuring Zimbabwe’s tobacco legacy is both profitable and environmentally responsible.
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