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Category: Agriculture & Sustainability

  • Pakistan Sets Prices to Stabilize Tobacco Crop

    Pakistan Sets Prices to Stabilize Tobacco Crop

    Tobacco growers in Pakistan have welcomed the federal government’s decision to set a Minimum Indicative Price (MIP) for various tobacco types, calling it a crucial step for protecting growers’ incomes. The Economic Coordination Committee approved the MIP, making it mandatory for tobacco companies to buy surplus crop at or above the set prices, in line with tobacco marketing law MLO-487.

    Farmers pointed to rising input costs, with tobacco cultivation costing up to Rs1.9 million ($6,650) per hectare, compared to around Rs300,000 ($1,050) for wheat. “If tobacco prices drop, farmers risk losses in the hundreds of thousands,” said former Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) director Muhammad Ayaz.

    MIP rates include:

    • Flue-cured Virginia: Rs545/kg ($1.91) (plains), Rs615.9/kg ($2.16) (sub-mountainous areas)
    • White Patta: Rs262.6/kg ($0.92)
    • Barley: Rs316/kg ($1.11)
    • Dark air-cured: Rs388.9/kg ($1.36)
    • Naswar/snuff/hookah: Rs262.6/kg ($0.92)
    • Sun-cured Virginia: Rs350.2/kg ($1.23)
  • CORESTA Launches Website for Upcoming Conference

    CORESTA Launches Website for Upcoming Conference

    Yesterday (July 1), CORESTA (Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco) launched its website and published its program for its upcoming Agronomy & Leaf Integrity and Phytopathology & Genetics Conference that will be held from September 28 to October 2 in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

    “We are dedicated to providing an excellent event that fosters scientific discussion and offers a wonderful introduction to and experience in Asia,” conference chair Carlos Eduardo Pulcinelli said. “Asia was chosen as the host continent for this conference due to the region’s significant role in tobacco cultivation, as well as to support the many young researchers from this part of the world who are committed to advancing tobacco science.”Click here for more information, registration, and paper submissions.

  • Cuban Tobacco Hit Hard by Power Outages

    Cuban Tobacco Hit Hard by Power Outages

    Chronic power outages have severely impacted “all tobacco varieties” in Cuba’s prized sector, particularly in Consolación del Sur, Pinar del Río—one of the country’s leading growing regions, according to local newspaper Guerrillero. According to local officials, 385 hectares of tobacco crops were lost this season due to electricity shortages, mainly affecting irrigation.

    The area planted was already reduced to 1,500 hectares, and total production is now expected to hit just 1,301 tons, far below the 1,778-ton target. Director of the local Integrated Tobacco Company, Mario Luis Zamora, estimates the harvest will yield only 79% of the planned cured bundles.

    While efforts are underway to recover, with over 1,000 curing barns built for next season, the fragility of Cuba’s electrical grid casts doubt over a strong rebound.

  • Pakistan’s Largest Tobacco Growing Region Suffers Huge Storm Damage

    Pakistan’s Largest Tobacco Growing Region Suffers Huge Storm Damage

    Nearly 60% of the Virginia tobacco crop in Pakistan’s Swabi district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has reportedly been badly damaged by a thunderstorm, according to local farmers. The damage occurred at a critical harvesting stage, rendering the affected leaves unsuitable for curing, which has deeply impacted growers’ livelihoods.

    “Once the tobacco plant falls to the ground, its leaves are no longer useful for curing, causing growers huge losses,” said Safdar Khan, a farmer from the Maneri Bala village, adding that the government didn’t come to their aid after being struck by a natural calamity.

    Swabi produces about 53% of KP’s tobacco output, with an estimated 15,500 hectares planted, last year producing about 42 million kg.

    “Due to the damage to our crop, we are stuck in an economic quagmire, and there is no one to help us,” said local grower Baswar Khan.

  • With Record Already Set, Zimbabwe Eyes 400M Kg Milestone

    With Record Already Set, Zimbabwe Eyes 400M Kg Milestone

    Two weeks after topping 300 million kilograms of tobacco output for the first time, officials in Zimbabwe say this year’s crop should top 330 million kg, and that achieving 400 million kg in the future is within reach. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, on June 27, the harvest reached 319.2 million kg.

    Driving the surge is a sharp increase in “smallholder” participation, government-led reforms, and research-driven innovations. More than 127,000 farmers, 85% of them smallholders, are registered this season, which ensures access to inputs, training, and markets.

    Dr. Frank Magama, CEO of Kutsaga, Zimbabwe’s leading tobacco research institute, credited the Tobacco Value Chain Transformation Plan introduced in 2021 for boosting productivity through better farming practices, climate-smart seed varieties, and sustainability initiatives.

    “Over 80% of our crop was produced under contract, ensuring inputs, technical support, and guaranteed markets,” Magama said. “While expansion has occurred, what is more exciting is the productivity increase per unit area. With improved post-harvest handling, energy-efficient barns, and better training, the numbers are speaking for themselves.”

    He also warned, however, of the risks from global oversupply and stressed the importance of environmental compliance to maintain competitiveness.

  • Mozambique’s Tobacco Export Surged 63% in 2024

    Mozambique’s Tobacco Export Surged 63% in 2024

    Mozambique continued its tobacco boom in 2024, with revenues rising by 41% to reach $217.2 million, according to new data from the Bank of Mozambique. This jump reflects a 63% increase in export volume, supported by stable international prices.

    Export values for tobacco in Mozambique were $154 million in 2023 and $151 million in 2022. Behind Zimbabwe and Malawi, Mozambique ranks third in Africa and eighth globally in tobacco cultivation area, with nearly 130,000 hectares planted.

  • Zimbabwe Tops 300M Kg of Tobacco for First Time

    Zimbabwe Tops 300M Kg of Tobacco for First Time

    Zimbabwe set a new tobacco production record after more than 300 million kg of leaf was sold since the marketing season opened in March, the country’s Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said yesterday (June 18). The TIMB confirmed that 2023’s record of 296 kg was topped, and that its total value exceeded $1 billion.

    TIMB public affairs officer Chelesani Tsarwe said that while the production milestone reflects resilience and hard work across the value chain, the ideal future is not just about record volumes, but also about increased local processing, enhanced farmer earnings, diversified markets, and environmentally sustainable practices in the tobacco sector.

     “This year’s marketing season has been historic,” she said. “We must shift from volume-driven horizontal growth to value-driven growth.” 

  • Pakistan Shifting Toward Open Market Tobacco Pricing

    Pakistan Shifting Toward Open Market Tobacco Pricing

    Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to prepare a roadmap for moving away from the current practice of setting Minimum Indicative Prices (MIPs) for tobacco and transition toward open market pricing, sources told Business Recorder.

    While MIPs serve as a price floor to protect tobacco farmers—particularly when supply exceeds demand—they are not support prices and do not involve government subsidies.

    The ECC noted that shifting to market-driven pricing aligns with the broader government policy of phasing out price controls in favor of demand-and-supply dynamics. However, concerns were raised that cess (a local tax on tobacco), calculated as a percentage of MIPs, could be reduced if open market prices rise above government-set minimums.

    Despite approving revised MIPs for various tobacco types for the 2025–26 fiscal year, the ECC emphasized the need for further deliberation before dismantling the current system. The Ministry was instructed to develop a comprehensive transition plan and present it to the ECC in due course.

  • Zimbabwe Nearing Record Tobacco Target

    Zimbabwe Nearing Record Tobacco Target

    Zimbabwe is on the brink of a historic tobacco season, with over 280 million kilograms of tobacco sold to date, representing 94% of the national 300 million kg target for 2025. According to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB), the sales have generated $944 million.

    TIMB spokesperson Chelesani Moyo-Tsarwe reported a strong season, highlighting the active participation of over 108,000 growers, a 4.6% increase from last year. With weeks remaining in the marketing season, Zimbabwe is poised to surpass its record.

    “The numbers speak for themselves—our farmers have shown resilience and commitment,” she said.

    Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, attributed the success to favorable weather, expanded smallholder participation, improved farming techniques, and strong institutional support, particularly through contract farming schemes.

    The average price per kilogram stands at $3.37, slightly down from 2024’s $3.47, but still delivering strong returns for farmers.

  • Zimbabwe’s Stalk Destruction Reprieve Expires

    Zimbabwe’s Stalk Destruction Reprieve Expires

    To protect next year’s tobacco crop from pests and disease, Zimbabwe’s Department of Research and Specialist Services (DR&SS) said it will be cracking down on farmers who still haven’t destroyed the stalks and roots from this year’s crop. Because of the late start to the season, the department gave farmers a three-week reprieve that ended June 5.

    “In the event of non-compliance, some fines [$100 per hectare) are imposed as per regulations,” said Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo, chief director  of the DR&SS. “A second or subsequent conviction will attract a fine not exceeding $200 for each hectare or part thereof in respect of which the offense is committed, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years or both fine and imprisonment.”

    The director said all growers were required to adhere to all other dates to prevent the carryover of pests and diseases, however, those who are not able to meet this stipulated deadline are requested to apply for an extension to keep their tobacco in the fields.

    Figures from Zimbabwe’s National Statistics Agency show that tobacco export earnings rose from US$1.3 billion in 2023 to US$1.43 billion last year, with 2025 expected to be even better.