Zambia recorded over US$130 million in tobacco sales during the 2025/2026 marketing season, which closed in September, representing a 31.6 percent decline from the US$190 million recorded in the previous season.
A total of 69.2 million kilograms of Flue-Cured Virginia and Burley tobacco were traded during the period, compared to 72.2 million kilograms sold in the 2024/2025 marketing season. The decline in production volumes has been attributed to the negative effects of climate change.
The sector registered approximately 46,000 growers, with 15 licensed buyers participating in the marketing season.
Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) Executive Director, Robert Mwale revealed that Flue-Cured Virginia accounted for approximately 87 percent of the total volume marketed, while Burley tobacco contributed the remaining 13 percent.
Speaking during a media engagement and presentation of the inaugural TBZ awards to five Journalists, Mr. Mwale said the figures highlight the dominance of Flue-Cured Virginia in Zambia’s tobacco production and marketing, while Burley tobacco continues to contribute to diversification within the industry.
“The 2025-2026 tobacco marketing season recorded a total of 69.2 million kilograms of tobacco valued at more than US$130 million. This performance demonstrates the continued economic importance of tobacco as an agricultural commodity and its contribution to the livelihoods of growers, employment creation, commercial activity, and the broader agricultural economy,” Mr. Mwale said.
He noted that the economic benefits of tobacco extend beyond farmers to other players in the value chain, including agricultural input suppliers, transporters, buying companies, processing companies and other service providers.
Mr. Mwale, however, stated that the industry’s performance should not be measured solely by production volumes and marketing values, stressing the need for compliance with regulations and sustainable growth.
“Our responsibility as the regulator is not simply to celebrate production volumes and marketing values. We must also ensure that the industry operates within the law, that growers understand the obligations, that buyers comply with applicable requirements, and that the sector develops in a sustainable and orderly manner,” he said.
He added that increasing production alone would not be sufficient to guarantee the industry’s long-term competitiveness, as attention must also be given to quality, efficiency, market access and responsible production practices.
Mr. Mwale stressed that the Board would continue working with stakeholders to improve productivity, strengthen compliance and enhance the quality of tobacco produced in Zambia.
On grower registration, he revealed that approximately 46,000 tobacco growers were registered during the 2025/2026 marketing season, emphasizing that registration remains mandatory for all tobacco farmers.
The TBZ Executive Director said the registration system enables the Board to maintain reliable records of industry participants, strengthen regulatory oversight, improve communication with stakeholders and support informed decision-making.
He urged all tobacco growers to comply with registration requirements, noting that the process should be viewed as an essential part of operating within a regulated industry rather than merely an administrative exercise.
Mr. Mwale also said the participation of 15 licensed tobacco buyers during the season was important to the orderly functioning of the market, as buyers provide channels through which growers sell their produce.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director congratulated recipients of the inaugural TBZ Media Awards, among them, Money FM News Editor Cecilia Chiluba, and encouraged them to continue highlighting the economic significance of Zambia’s tobacco industry.
