According to the Herald, as of January 5, 2024, Zimbabwe's tobacco growers have narrowed the gap in planting area to within 5% of the hectares in 2023. At the same time, the planting area in 2023 will be 27% less than in 2022.
According to statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the area planted in the 2023/2024 season has been smaller than the previous season since November 24.
The country's dryland and irrigated tobacco cultivation area reaches 103,652 hectares.
There were 112,916 growers registered this quarter compared to 147,748 growers in the same period last year. According to TIMB data, 93% of registered growers have signed a contract.
The Zimbabwean government has extended the date for the destruction of tobacco seedbeds to January 15. According to some farmers, the area planted this season may exceed last year's.
George Seremwe, chairman of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Growers Association, said of the current wet weather: “As farmers, we are happy with the current weather pattern and believe we can slightly exceed last year’s planting area. Tobacco needs water and a lot of heat, It’s good for the quality of the crop.”
Victor Marilanica, chairman of the Tobacco Farmers' Union Trust, said: "The combined impact of the extended planting date and wet weather conditions around Christmas is likely to result in an area planted this season close to or exceeding last year's. We thank the Government Planting dates have been adjusted to account for climate change and the crop is generally looking good after the post-Christmas rains."
In 2023, Zimbabwe's crop production reached a record high, and it is expected to usher in a bumper harvest season again this year. The country's target for this year is 148,500 hectares.
Emmanuel Matsvaire, acting CEO of TIMB, said: “We are looking at two fundamental factors: the area planted and potential yields, and based on the current situation we may have a good season. The information we have received so far shows that plantings have 136,000 hectares, but we still have some areas where data has not been submitted.”
