Zimbabwe Tobacco Auction Floors to Open 4 March as TIMB Confirms Full Farmer Payments

Tobacco farmers grading their crop

Zimbabwe’s tobacco auction floors will officially open to buyers on 4 March 2026, with authorities confirming that all farmers have been paid for last season’s deliveries. The announcement was made by Emmanuel Matsvaire, chief executive officer of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), while giving oral evidence before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands and Agriculture.

Matsvaire said preparations for the 2026 marketing season were complete.

“The commencement of the tobacco selling season is on the 4th of March, 2026, and contract sales will start the following day, which is the 5th of March,” he said.

The official opening ceremony will be held at the Tobacco Service Board, where Lands and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka is expected to launch the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan 2.

A total of 115,121 farmers have registered for the 2026 season, slightly down from 127,379 last year. Small-scale growers continue to dominate production, with about 85% operating under contract arrangements. The total planted area has increased by 15%, rising from 143,000 hectares to approximately 164,536 hectares. TIMB projects the 2026 crop at around 400 million kilograms, although demand from China is expected to decline by 10 million kilograms. Authorities say alternative export markets are likely to absorb any surplus.

Matsvaire told legislators that tobacco exports remain robust, with approximately US$400 million worth of tobacco exported by mid-February. Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry remains one of the country’s top foreign currency earners, playing a critical role in supporting the agricultural sector and broader economy.

TIMB has licensed three auction floors for the 2026 season:

• Tobacco Sales Floor

• Premier Tobacco Auction Floor

• Ethical Sales Floor (newly approved)

In addition, five decentralised selling points across provinces have been authorised to operate, alongside 48 registered contractors.

Authorities will implement a blended grade price matrix, a weighted average derived from both auction and contract sales. The system is designed to improve transparency, fairness, and price stability. On payments, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has maintained the 70-30% retention framework for the 2026 marketing season. Under this arrangement, farmers will receive 70% of the proceeds in foreign currency and 30% in local currency. TIMB said payment systems are fully operational and merchants are being monitored to ensure farmers are paid within 48 hours of sale.

The board will prioritise sustainable debt recovery mechanisms to protect farmers, maintain contractor confidence, and ensure long-term sector stability. With the marketing season set to begin next week, authorities are optimistic that the 2026 crop will sustain export growth and bolster farmer incomes.

Zimbabwe tobacco auction 2026