Tobacco leaf exports from Zimbabwe: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, Zimbabwe exported tobacco leaf worth $1.31 billion (218.5 thousand tonnes). It ranks 3rd of 135 countries for exports of this product. That is 11% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.31B | 218.5K t |
| 2023 | $1.18B | 207.4K t |
| 2022 | $823.7M | 186.6K t |
| 2021 | $761.2M | 164.6K t |
| 2020 | $611.7M | 161.3K t |
| 2019 | $527.9M | 152.4K t |
| 2018 | $603.7M | 154.6K t |
| 2017 | $933.2M | 142.1K t |
Where Zimbabwe exports tobacco leaf to
One buyer market dominates: China accounted for 50% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Indonesia grew fastest (+124% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $652.9M | 50% |
| Indonesia | $85.6M | 6.6% |
| Vietnam | $71.7M | 5.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $64.9M | 5% |
| Belgium | $54.5M | 4.2% |
| United States | $44.4M | 3.4% |
| Germany | $35.6M | 2.7% |
| South Africa | $31.2M | 2.4% |
| India | $24.7M | 1.9% |
| Turkey | $19.7M | 1.5% |
Product types under HS 2401
| 2401.20 | Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped | 97% |
| 2401.30 | Tobacco waste | 2.6% |
| 2401.10 | Tobacco, (not stemmed or stripped) | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2401.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.97 per kg, close to the world average of $5.95.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Tobacco leaf imports to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe imported $60.3 million of tobacco leaf in 2024 (11.5 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Malawi (33%), Zambia (25%), Tanzania (25%). Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | $19.8M | 33% |
| Zambia | $15.4M | 26% |
| Tanzania | $15.4M | 26% |
| South Africa | $8.8M | 15% |
| India | $711K | 1.2% |
| Mozambique | $198K | 0.3% |
| Dominican Republic | $7K | 0% |
| United States | $2K | 0% |
| China | $0K | 0% |
| Madagascar | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zimbabwe?
The shipment records behind Zimbabwe tobacco leaf exports (HS 2401): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2401: Tobacco, unmanufactured; tobacco refuse.
Common questions
What is the value of tobacco leaf exported by Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe exported tobacco leaf worth $1.31 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 218.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 135 countries worldwide, with 9% of world exports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries buy tobacco leaf from Zimbabwe?
China was the largest buyer with 50% of the value ($652.9 million), followed by Indonesia (7%) and Vietnam (5%). The top three together account for 62%, out of 72 buyer countries in total. Indonesia grew fastest among the top ten, up 124% on the year.
What is the average export price of tobacco leaf per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.97 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $5.95 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of tobacco leaf from Zimbabwe changed since 2017?
Exports went from $933.2 million in 2017 to $1.31 billion in 2024, an increase of 40%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $842.9 million a year.
Does Zimbabwe also import tobacco leaf?
Yes. Zimbabwe imported $60.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. On balance Zimbabwe is a net exporter of this product, by about $1.24 billion a year.
What is the HS code for tobacco leaf?
The HS code for tobacco leaf is heading 2401. In Zimbabwe the largest six-digit codes were 2401.20 (97% of the value) and 2401.30 (3%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zimbabwe trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Tobacco leaf product types in Zimbabwe
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