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Tobacco deliveries topped the 210 million kg mark

Agriculture Reporters
A visiting Chinese delegation has commended Zimbabwe for producing high quality tobacco that has a unique flavour that is required on the international market.
Speaking after touring TianZe Tobacco Company floors, head of the delegation Chief Commissioner of State Tobacco Monopoly Administration of China, Mr Ling Chengxing said China was looking forward to a long term relationship with Zimbabwe.

He said China imported the bulk of the high quality tobacco from Zimbabwe.

“TianZe subsidiary in Zimbabwe exports the bulk of the high quality tobacco to China and this is the largest of the China Tobacco Subsidiaries in the world,” he said.

“Zimbabwean tobacco has a unique flavour which is a favourite for China.”

Mr Ling raised concern over the high costs of production and urged authorities to monitor costs so that the business remains viable.

“There is need to control production costs,” he said. “You should create a win-win situation where both parties benefit from tobacco production.”

Mr Ling urged farmers to continue working on the quality of the crop and increase volumes to satisfy the Chinese market.

He said it was his first time to have an overseas trip and he chose Zimbabwe over other destinations.

The delegation visited TianZe contract farm, Duloli Primary School in Beatrice and toured the company’s contract floors in Harare.

China and Zimbabwe also seek to establish a multi-million dollar tobacco manufacturing plant that will see Zimbabwe exporting processed tobacco products in line with Zim-Asset.

China is one of the major export markets for the Zimbabwean tobacco.

Tobacco growers last season sold 214 million kilogrammes of the crop, with 163 million kilogrammes sold through the contract floors, while the remaining 51 million was sold at the auction floors.