Tobacco Sales Reach US$104.9 Million

Zambia's tobacco industry has generated more than US$104.9 million in cumulative sales by Week 11 of the 2025 marketing season, according to figures released by the Tobacco Board of Zambia.

The Board said the earnings had been driven largely by strong volumes of flue-cured Virginia tobacco, which continued to dominate the market.

Figures published by the Board showed that farmers sold nearly 52 million kilogrammes of tobacco during the period, with a total volume of 51.96 million kilogrammes recorded.

Flue-cured Virginia tobacco accounted for the largest share of sales, with 44.45 million kilogrammes sold at an average price of US$1.97 per kilogramme, generating US$87.34 million in value.

Air-cured Burley tobacco recorded sales of 7.51 million kilogrammes at a higher average price of US$2.35 per kilogramme, earning US$17.63 million.

The Board said the latest figures indicated that while Burley continued to command a premium price, Virginia tobacco remained the dominant contributor to the country's tobacco export earnings owing to its significantly higher production volumes.

The Tobacco Board of Zambia has branded the crop as the country's "Green Gold," citing its continued importance to agricultural exports and rural incomes.