TOBACCO OUTPUT TOPS 100M KG

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

ZAMBIA’S tobacco production has more than tripled in three years, rising from about 30 million kilogrammes in 2022 to over 100 million kilogrammes in 2025, boosting export earnings, economic growth and rural livelihoods, Government has said.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture has cautioned that sustaining the sector’s rapid growth will require greater investment in productivity, climate resilience and value addition amid intensifying global competition.

Speaking at a tobacco industry event in Lusaka, Ministry of Agriculture Director for Agriculture Mdashe Kapalu said the surge in production reflected the commitment of farmers and industry players.

He said the tobacco industry remained one of the country’s most commercially viable agricultural sectors, making a significant contribution to export earnings, employment creation and rural development.

“The sector remains one of Zambia’s most commercially viable agricultural industries, contributing significantly to export earnings, employment creation and rural development,” Mr Kapalu said.

He said the industry was operating in an increasingly demanding global market marked by changing consumer preferences, stricter sustainability standards, climate pressures and rising competition.

Mr Kapalu said future growth would depend on making tobacco farming more productive, profitable, sustainable and globally competitive.

He noted that access to affordable financing remained a major priority, with Government working on mechanisms to support investment in irrigation, mechanisation, climate adaptation technologies, processing and value addition.

Mr Kapalu also urged greater investment in downstream processing, saying the country must move beyond exporting raw tobacco if it is to maximise value from the crop.

“Sustaining recent growth requires continued investment in productivity improvement, quality enhancement, climate resilience and stronger market competitiveness,” he said.

He said Government was prioritising climate resilience through irrigation development, water harvesting, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management and environmental protection.

Mr Kapalu also urged industry players to embrace modern technologies and sustainable farming practices while complying with the Tobacco Act and Tobacco General Regulations, 2026, to promote transparency, accountability and orderly growth of the sector.

Meanwhile, Tobacco Association of Zambia president Sianga Musheke called for policies that improve farmer profitability and strengthen the competitiveness of the industry.

“The sector remains a key source of export earnings, jobs and rural development despite rising global challenges. Changing global demand, tougher sustainability standards and increasing competition are pushing producers to become more efficient and innovative,” Mr Musheke said