Paul Nyakazeya, Group Digital Editor 
TOBACCO merchants have so far exported 78 440 301 kilogrammes (kgs) of tobacco valued at US$379,2 million, since the tobacco selling season opened on March 31.
Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the average export price for the golden leaf was US$4,85 per kg compared to US$3,94 per kg last year.
Monica Mutsvangwa, Information Minister
Mutsvangwa said the current figures were a notch up compared to 67 759 734 kgs worth US$267 213 732 exported during the same period in 2021.
She said a total of 165 million kgs of the crop valued at US$501 million had been sold to date, compared to the 181 kgs worth US$500 million sold during the same period in 2021.
“The average price for auction and contract floors is US$3,02 per kilogramme, compared to US$2,76 per kg in 2021.
“Contract floors outside Harare account for 35 percent of the total tobacco sold,” Mutsvangwa said.
Auction sales close on July 20 2022, while contract sales will continue until all the tobacco has been sold.
Meanwhile, the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) had received 454 277 metric tonnes of maize and traditional grains, including stocks carried over from the previous season as of July 7.
Due to late rains experienced in the 2021/2022 summer production season, the main grain intake season began last month and is likely to peak between now and September.
Accordingly, a total of 28 430 metric tonnes of grain has so far been received this season.
“In the meantime, the importation of mealie-meal will continue to ensure that consumers are cushioned from any market distortions that may occur. Government calls upon farmers to desist from side-marketing their grain.
“So far 392 metric tonnes have been confiscated by the GMB in terms of Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019. Meanwhile, wheat stocks stand at 54 268 metric tonnes, which are sufficient to meet local requirements,” Mutsvangwa said.
She said a total of ZW$500 million and US$2 million had been paid to farmers for grain delivered to the GMB.
“Regarding wheat production, Cabinet confirms that the 78 038 hectares planted this year is a record for the country, surpassing the previous one of 70 585 hectares set in 2004,” she said.
She added that the fertilisers, chemicals and fuel in stock were sufficient to meet production requirements.
Furthermore, 100 megawatts of electricity was reserved for farmers, she said.
