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Zimbabwe has reported record tobacco sales. It is now one of the leading tobacco growers in the world. The small-scale Black farmers now selling their crops mostly to China are heavily indebted and seeing “minimal” benefits
Zimbabwe has reported record tobacco sales. It is now one of the leading tobacco growers in the world. The small-scale Black farmers now selling their crops mostly to China are heavily indebted and seeing “minimal” benefits.
Farmers’ Association is pointing out that its members are not benefitting as they should from Zimbabwe’s tobacco boom. It was largely because of a contract system that locks them into unfavourable loans and prices. Chinese companies operate under the state-owned China National Tobacco Corporation, the largest cigarette maker in the world, which they maintain is forcing farmers to sell tobacco at a cheaper price.
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China is the largest buyer of Zimbabwe’s tobacco to feed its huge market. The contract system in Zimbabwe is largely dominated by Chinese firms and their agents. Zimbabwe is Africa’s top tobacco producer and among the top 10 in the world. It has so far sold 261 million kilograms of tobacco since the selling season opened in March. It is more than the previous record of 259 million kilograms in 2019. Black farmers were given land under the reforms and now made up 60% of the 150,000 farmers who grew tobacco this season. Overall, small-scale Black farmers contributed 85% of the crop.
