Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Production was 236.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 21.6% on 2023. Zimbabwe Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 experienced significant variations, reflecting changes in agricultural conditions, economic factors, farming investment, and international tobacco market trends. Zimbabwe recorded tobacco production of 171.08317 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a slight decline to 168.974 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Production moved from 171.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 236.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+38.4%), an average of +3.7% a year. The series high was 239.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 110.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2017) is 129.1 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +116.5% in 2018.
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, Zimbabwe ranks 5 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 3.9% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 236.8 | +21.6% |
| 2023 | 194.8 | +6.4% |
| 2022 | 183.1 | +12.8% |
| 2021 | 162.4 | −20.2% |
| 2020 | 203.5 | +10.2% |
| 2019 | 184.6 | −23.1% |
| 2018Peak | 239.9 | +116.5% |
| 2017 Trough | 110.8 | −34.4% |
| 2016 | 169 | −1.2% |
| 2015 | 171.1 | — |
Regional context
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Zimbabwe is highlighted.
Data definition
Tobacco Production — Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Tobacco production includes the annual harvested quantity of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated tobacco plants. It covers major tobacco varieties such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, and other types grown by small-scale farmers and large agricultural producers. The indicator includes tobacco crops produced within national boundaries for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and other processed tobacco products. It accounts for agricultural activities related to cultivation, harvesting, and primary crop output measured in tonnes.
Tobacco production excludes processed tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other finished tobacco goods. It does not include tobacco manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail sales, consumption, imports, or exports of tobacco products. The indicator also excludes synthetic nicotine products, non-tobacco nicotine alternatives, experimental tobacco cultivation, and broader economic measures such as tobacco industry revenue, employment, market value, or trade statistics.
Tobacco Production — Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Production decreased significantly in 2017, reaching 110.816 thousand tonnes, before recovering strongly to 239.906 thousand tonnes in 2018, which was the highest production level during the decade. In 2019, production declined to 184.584 thousand tonnes, followed by an increase to 203.488 thousand tonnes in 2020. Output decreased again in 2021 to 162.37 thousand tonnes, before improving to 183.0907 thousand tonnes in 2022. Zimbabwe recorded further growth in production during 2023, reaching 194.8282 thousand tonnes, and continued increasing to 236.815 thousand tonnes in 2024. The overall trend demonstrates Zimbabwe’s strong recovery and continued importance in global tobacco production. Tobacco cultivation is one of Zimbabwe’s major agricultural activities, contributing significantly to export earnings, rural employment, and farmer incomes. The country is particularly recognized for producing high-quality flue-cured tobacco, which is highly valued in international markets. The sector includes both commercial farmers and smallholder producers who have increasingly contributed to production growth. However, tobacco farming faces challenges such as climate variability, input costs, financing limitations, and changing global tobacco consumption patterns. Zimbabwe has responded by improving farming techniques, expanding contract farming systems, and supporting small-scale producers. The strong production levels recorded in 2018 and 2024 indicate improved agricultural performance and market opportunities. Despite global pressures affecting the tobacco industry, Zimbabwe remains one of Africa’s largest tobacco producers, with the crop continuing to play a vital role in the country’s agricultural economy and export sector.
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Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Production was 236.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 21.6% on 2023.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Production moved from 171.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 236.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (+38.4%), an average of +3.7% a year. The series high was 239.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 110.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 239.9 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 110.8 Thousand Tonnes in 2017.
Included: Tobacco production includes the annual harvested quantity of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated tobacco plants. It covers major tobacco varieties such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, and other types grown by small-scale farmers and large agricultural producers. The indicator includes tobacco crops produced within national boundaries for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and other processed tobacco products. It accounts for agricultural activities related to cultivation, harvesting, and primary crop output measured in tonnes. Excluded: Tobacco production excludes processed tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other finished tobacco goods. It does not include tobacco manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail sales, consumption, imports, or exports of tobacco products. The indicator also excludes synthetic nicotine products, non-tobacco nicotine alternatives, experimental tobacco cultivation, and broader economic measures such as tobacco industry revenue, employment, market value, or trade statistics.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&Food=Tobacco&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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