The firm says in 2009 it controlled only 40 per cent of the market but that this had, however, sky rocketed to an impressive 53.5 per cent for 2010.
“The 2010 tobacco season began in February and a staggering 123,5 million kg of tobacco were produced in Zimbabwe,” TSL Chairman, Charles Nyereyegona said.
“This is the highest amount of tobacco produced in Zimbabwe in the last five years. The TSL increased its market share of the auction tobacco from 40 per cent in 2009 to 53.5 per cent. The company re-introduced the Tobacco Grower of the Year Award scheme for good farmers.”
Zimbabwe’s tobacco industry has taken a serious knock since the 2000 farm invasions by disgruntled war veterans who took over white commercial farms in the country.
In 2005 Zimbabwe produced only 74 000 tonnes of tobacco which shrunk to a mere 55 000 tonnes in 2006. The struggling nation then produced 80 000 tonnes of tobacco in 2007, which fell to 56 000 tonnes in 2008.
The tobacco production figures then began to pick up slightly with some 59 000 tonnes produced in 2009 which shot up to 123.5 million kg last year.
TSL said it hoped the tobacco Grower of the Year Award would be maintained and opened to all commercial farmers in Zimbabwe.
It said this year the nation could produce a staggering 150 million kg and this would result in the TSL market share further increasing to at “least 60 per cent”.
“The economy continues to grow across all sectors with agricultural exports expected to increase by some 21.5 per cent,” TSL boss said.
Post published in: Economy