Tobacco production to fall

Zimbabwe's flue-cured tobacco production was likely to fall next year to levels below this season's forecast of 200 million kilograms owing largely to the acquisition of some productive tobacco farms for resettlement purposes, the official 'The Herald' reported on Friday. The expected drop in production would mean a fall in the exportable crop and reduced foreign currency earnings. Zimbabwe relies heavily on tobacco exports for foreign exchange, with tobacco accounting for more than 10 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). The government has already made it clear that it intends to compulsorily acquire all the listed 565 commercial tobacco farms for resettlement.