Zimbabwe tobacco auction prices rebound, 2025/2026 season volume expected to exceed 355 million kilograms

Zimbabwe's economic landscape: China's investment, mining sector support, and tobacco rebound

Zimbabwe is experiencing significant economic developments, including a US$4.4 billion investment from China aimed at modernizing the country. The mining sector is receiving a boost, with African Mining Week targeting increased investment and Stanbic Bank extending US$227 million in credit support. The Zimbabwe Mercantile Exchange ZMX is seeing rising confidence, with trades hitting US$1.28 million. The tobacco industry is also showing positive signs, with auction prices rebounding and the total volume for the 2025/2026 marketing season expected to exceed 355 million kilograms. However, challenges persist, such as power outages and raw material shortages affecting ART operations, and a manufacturer reporting declines in export and paper division volumes by 6% and 26% respectively in the third quarter to June 2022. Political tensions are also noted, with reports of violent attacks and forced evictions at grasslands plots.