Zimbabwe Tobacco Prices Stabilise After Early Auction Shock, Says TIMB

Tobacco Auction Floors Harare

Harare — The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) says tobacco prices in Zimbabwe are beginning to stabilise after an early-season shock that saw some bales selling for as little as US$0.35 per kilogram, despite the first bale fetching US$4.60 per kilogram at the start of the 2026 marketing season.

The 2026 tobacco marketing season officially opened on 4 March, with strong opening prices initially raising expectations among farmers. However, prices quickly dropped during the first days of trading, sparking concerns among growers and prompting some to threaten withdrawing their crop from auction floors.

TIMB said the early price volatility was not the result of structural problems in the market but rather a combination of temporary factors affecting supply and demand. According to the regulator, a global oversupply of tobaccohttps://www.heraldonline.co.zw/global-tobacco-oversupply-wont-affect-local-farmers-timb/, the early opening of sales floors, and limited participation from buyers at the start of the season contributed to the sudden price declines.

“These early fluctuations are part of normal market adjustments and do not reflect a distortion of the tobacco marketing system,” the board said.

The regulator added that prices have since begun recovering following the opening of additional contract sales floors, including those operated by Northern Tobacco. With more buyers entering the market, competition has improved, and prices have started to firm, the board said. TIMB also noted that no formal complaints from farmers were recorded during the most recent auction sessions, suggesting that confidence may be returning to the market as trading stabilises.

Zimbabwe is one of the world’s leading producers of flue-cured tobacco, and the crop remains one of the country’s most important agricultural exports and sources of foreign currency. The tobacco marketing season typically runs for several months, with prices often fluctuating in the early weeks before stabilising as more buyers participate and supply patterns become clearer. TIMB said it will continue monitoring the market closely to ensure fair trading conditions.

The board emphasised that protecting farmer welfare remains a key part of its mandate and warned that it would intervene if any conduct emerged that could undermine competition or disadvantage growers.

“TIMB remains committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers while ensuring the integrity of the tobacco marketing system,” the board said.

Farmers have also been encouraged to allow normal market dynamics to take effect as more buyers participate in the auctions. The regulator expressed confidence that broader buyer participation in the coming weeks would help restore stability and support more sustainable prices for growers.

Zimbabwe tobacco prices TIMB