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.

As Zimbabwe prepares to officially open the 2026 tobacco marketing season on March 4, growers are calling on authorities to review the country’s 70:30 foreign currency retention policy, arguing that the current framework is squeezing profitability.