STOCKS of export tobacco from Zimbabwe are at their lowest level in five years, a tobacco industry official said on Tuesday. But Zimbabwe Tobacco Association marketing director Pat Davis said the sector — the country’s top foreign exchange earner — could withstand the knocks caused by current political strife provided there was a return to law and order. The latest report of the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board shows that Zimbabwe has so far consigned over 46000 tons of the leaf overseas, compared to more than 77000 tons in the same period last year. TIMB also noted that this time last year the country had close to 75000 tons worth of stocks on hand, to the current 54000 tons.
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