How much tobacco does Zimbabwe produce and export?
Zimbabwe is the 5th largest producer of tobacco: 236,815 tonnes in 2024, 3.9% of the world's 6 million tonnes (FAOSTAT). It is the 3rd largest exporter by value: $1.3 billion in 2024, 9.5% of world exports of unmanufactured tobacco (HS 2401) (CEPII BACI). Its biggest customer is China, which takes 49% of its tobacco exports by value.
All about tobacco · All about Zimbabwe · Tobacco price history
Zimbabwe's tobacco production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 236,815 tonnes | 3.9% | +2.6% a year | 2024 |
FAOSTAT Crops and livestock products (QCL), 2024. World total is the sum of reporting countries.
Share of world output over time
| 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 3.5% | 3.9% |
Zimbabwe's tobacco exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | $1.3 billion | 9.5% | 218,685 t | $6,122 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 2401 (Unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse).
Where Zimbabwe's tobacco goes
| Destination | Value | Share of Zimbabwe's exports |
|---|---|---|
| China | $659M | 49% |
| Indonesia | $87M | 6.5% |
| Belgium | $75M | 5.6% |
| Vietnam | $72M | 5.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $65M | 4.8% |
The tobacco price Zimbabwe sells into
The benchmark price, US import unit value, unmanufactured, was $6,775/t in July 2026, down 4% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 6% a year, calmer in 58% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Tobacco price history.
Cite as: Commodity Origins, "Zimbabwe tobacco: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/ZWE/tobacco/ (CC BY 4.0). Rankings count only countries reporting to the sources named; this page is shown only for top-five producers or exporters with at least 3% of the world total. Report an issue with this page.