ZIMBABWE’S tobacco output for the current season will remain above 180-million kg despite heavy rains in key growing districts, the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association said on Tuesday. With about one-third of the crop harvested, the ZTA estimated production at 182,41-million kg. At the start of the harvest in January it forecast 185-million kg. Last year’s output was 215 million kg, earning Z$437-million. There had been fears heavy rains might cut yields for the key tobacco crop. The ZTA said the quality of both dry-land and irrigated crops was better than the previous season. Tobacco earns more than one-third of Zimbabwe’s foreign currency and a 35% slump in prices last year strongly contributed to the local dollar’s 50% collapse against the US dollar.
16