The Tobacco Commission (TC) has revealed that this year’s tobacco production output to exceed last year’s 90 million Kilograms after certifying about 170 million Kilograms is expected to rise this season.

Spokesperson of the Commission, Telephorous Chigwenembe said demand among tobacco buyers for this year’s season is not yet known.

However, first round crop assessment survey for the green gold will happen in the first two weeks of January 2023.

According to Agriculture expert, Leonard Chimwaza, despite loss of value of country’s local currency, a progress which has resulted into the rising cost of farm inputs, mostly fertilizer, tobacco remains a key cash crop and forex earner.

During the 2021-2022 farming season, the country failed to please the international demand for the green gold of about 140 million kilograms.