In Zimbabwe, tobacco farming is experiencing a remarkable resurgence and is once again emerging as one of the country’s main agricultural economic pillars. After years of decline caused by controversial land reforms and prolonged economic difficulties, the sector is now recording near-historic production levels, driven largely by smallholder farmers working under contract with foreign companies, particularly Chinese firms.
Across several rural regions, thousands of farmers are gradually abandoning traditional crops such as maize and sunflower in favor of tobacco, which is considered more profitable and more resilient to diseases and climate-related challenges. This renewed interest is even spreading to areas that were not historically known for tobacco cultivation, including parts of southern Matabeleland, where many producers see the crop as an opportunity for economic recovery.
According to figures from Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, more than 127,000 growers are currently registered nationwide, with nearly 95% of them being small-scale farmers operating under contract farming arrangements. These farmers alone account for approximately 85% of the country’s tobacco production. Thanks to this model, national tobacco output increased from 306,000 tons in 2024 to 355,000 tons in 2025, while production is expected to exceed 360,000 tons this year.
The contract farming system has become central to the industry’s expansion. Companies provide farmers with seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs on credit before purchasing the harvested tobacco at pre-agreed prices. For many rural producers, this model represents the only realistic way to access farming resources, as banks remain difficult to access due to high interest rates and the lack of formal land ownership titles.
Despite the impressive growth, concerns remain about the sustainability of the system. Many farmers have raised alarms over increasing economic dependence on contracting companies. Some producers report that although tobacco often generates higher revenues than food crops, expenses linked to loans, insurance, and farming equipment significantly reduce their profits. Poor weather conditions or low yields can quickly trap farmers in cycles of debt that are difficult to escape.
Chinese companies now dominate much of Zimbabwe’s tobacco sector and are estimated to control around 60% of the industry’s total production value. This dominance has sparked criticism from farming organizations, which accuse some companies of keeping purchase prices low and limiting the earnings of local growers.
The Zimbabwean government nevertheless views tobacco as a strategic driver of economic growth and export revenue. Authorities are seeking to increase local value addition through industrial processing, including cigarette manufacturing and other tobacco-related products. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube recently reiterated the country’s ambition to significantly expand the domestic value generated by the sector over the coming years.
However, the rapid growth of tobacco farming is also raising environmental and public health concerns. The World Health Organization has repeatedly criticized the global shift of tobacco production toward Africa, warning that the crop contributes to deforestation and reduces land available for food production. Between 2005 and 2020, tobacco cultivation areas expanded significantly across Africa while declining in many other parts of the world.
Zimbabwe remains Africa’s leading producer of tobacco leaves and is determined to further strengthen its position on the international market. Despite criticism regarding farmer indebtedness and environmental impacts, the industry continues to attract new growers drawn by the financial opportunities offered by this high-value cash crop.
