Harare, Zimbabwe- The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has issued a high-priority directive to all tobacco growers nationwide, urging the immediate and thorough destruction of tobacco stalks following the 2025/26 harvest. The board emphasized that failure to properly clear fields poses a severe risk of pest carryover and disease outbreaks that could compromise the quality of the upcoming crop.

Philip Morris International (PMI), the world’s largest tobacco company, is preparing to re‑establish a presence in Zimbabwe nearly two decades after exiting the regional market a development that could accelerate the country’s drive to add value to its tobacco crop.