Zimbabwe Exports Tobacco Worth 203 Million Dollars in 2005

Source from:  Xinhua.com 01/16/2006

Zimbabwe exported a total of 64.4 million kg of semi-processed tobacco worth 203.5 million U.S. dollars in 2005 compared to 69.9 million kg in the previous year. Figures released by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board on Friday indicate that flue-cured tobacco accounted for 63.5 million kg while burley contributed 871,800 kg of the total exports. Burley tobacco is generally grown on a small-scale in Zimbabwe compared to Virginia tobacco. The crop, which is still among the country's largest foreign currency earners, was exported at an average price of 3.16 dollars per kg. Europe imported the biggest quantity of tobacco at 28.2 million kg, followed by the Far East with 20.2 million kg, Africa 10.6 million kg and the Middle East which imported 3.4 million kg. China remained the single biggest importer of Zimbabwean tobacco, at 16 million kg followed by Britain with 7.5 million, France 5.1 million and South Africa with 4.8 million. Africa was the only continent that recorded an increase in tobacco imports from 6.2 million in 2004 to 10.6 million kg in 2005 while the rest recorded declines. Statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board further show a consistent decline in tobacco exports over the years in line with the decrease in production. In 2003, the country exported 103.3 million kg while 2002 saw some 142.8 million kg being exported. Zimbabwe's tobacco production has declined from a peak of 237 million kg in 2000 to 78 million kg last year due to various factors that include shortages of inputs and drought. Enditem