🇿🇼ZimbabweSouthern Africa
Zimbabwe tobacco volumes rise 59% despite depressed prices
via NewsDay Zimbabwe4 min read
Zimbabwe's tobacco marketing season has seen a significant increase in volumes, with 149.92 million kilograms sold across auction and contract floors by Day 34 of trading. This represents a 59% volume increase compared to the 93.99 million kilograms sold by the same point in 2025. However, prices have remained under pressure, with the combined average price at US$2.65 per kilogram, a 22.5% decline from last year's average of US$3.42 per kg. Auction floors recorded 8.81 million kilograms at an average of US$2.06 per kg, while contract sales accounted for 141.12 million kilograms at US$2.69 per kg. The Zimbabwe Economic Review attributes this divergence to increased supply, quality mix dynamics, and softer global demand. Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s top agricultural export and a key foreign currency earner, supporting thousands of smallholder farmers.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by NewsDay Zimbabwe.
The Sables have announced a 31-man squad for their upcoming SAS training camp as they prepare for a showdown against SA A. This development comes amidst various other news items from Zimbabwe, including discussions on increased US investment, the potential for hybrids over electric vehicles, and calls for stronger safety measures on the Kamandama disaster anniversary. Other reports highlight foreign military attachés touring ARDA projects, National Foods investing US$25 million in local milling, and Mpilo beginning the installation of a new cancer treatment machine. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange's market capitalization stood at approximately US$3.26 billion, while VFEX reached US$3.54 billion, with expectations for more ZSE delistings to sustain VFEX momentum in FY26. Concerns were also raised about political tensions at grasslands plots leading to violent attacks and forced evictions, power outages and raw material shortages affecting ART operations, and the urgency of high-integrity carbon markets and local credit ratings for climate finance.
The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange's market capitalization was approximately US$3.26 billion as of last Friday, while the Victoria Falls Exchange VFEX stood at US$3.54 billion. This comes as National Foods has invested US$25 million in local milling, and Mpilo has begun installing a new cancer treatment machine. Foreign military attachés recently toured ARDA projects, commending Zimbabwe's agricultural efforts. However, ART operations have been affected by power outages and raw material shortages, leading to a 6% decline in export volumes and a 26% decline in paper division volumes during the third quarter to June 2022. There are also calls for urgent action on ecosystem restoration and climate resilience, with an emphasis on high-integrity carbon markets and local credit ratings for climate finance.
As of last Friday, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange's market capitalization was approximately US$3.26 billion, while the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange VFEX recorded a market capitalization of US$3.54 billion. This comparison highlights the current financial standing of both exchanges.