Zimbabwe's tobacco industry plans to switch to cannabis

Zimbabwe's tobacco industry sees cannabis as a major source of revenue, anticipating a surge in demand. global decline in tobacco consumption which will slow down one of the country's main exports.

Meanwell Gudu, Managing Director of the Zimbabwe Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board), reported by Bloomberg, demand for cannabis is set to continue growing, while global tobacco production could fall by 15 % by 2030.

«One of the alternative crops we are considering is the industrial hemp« he said by telephone on Monday. «We want to be part of the whole industrial hemp chain.

Tobacco earned the country 819 million dollars last year. The cultivation of medical cannabis in Zimbabwe was legalized in 2018.

The Tobacco Board has 145,000 registered growers, who began auctioning off this year's crop last week. Farmers will be encouraged to plant cannabis so that a quarter of their income comes from the plant by 2025, said Meanwell Gudu.

«It's a culture that requires attention to detail, just like tobacco, and we're confident they'll have the necessary skills,» he said.

Last year, the country exported 30 tonnes of industrial hemp to Switzerland, its first foray into the European market, said Zorodzai Maroveke, founder of the Zimbabwe Industrial Hemp Trust. The group is working in partnership with the Tobacco Board to facilitate the «smooth transition» to commercial cannabis.

«Switzerland is the first gateway to Europe,» said Zorodzai Maroveke. «Another 20 tons of industrial hemp should be exported to the European nation, she added.»

The Board will seek export markets for industrial hemp, notably in China and the European Union, and will also look to develop a local market, said Meanwell Gudu.