Tobacco industry production in Mozambique fell in the first half of 2024, totaling 200 million meticais (3.1 million dollars). This figure represents a reduction of 71.7% compared to the same period in 2023, when the sector reached 709 million meticais (10.9 million dollars).
The figures were published by the Lusa news agency and reveal that the industry’s performance represents just 2.7% of the annual target set by the government, which projects production of 7.5 billion meticais (116.3 million dollars) for 2024.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance had already warned in June of a 50% drop in tobacco industry production in the first three months of 2024, totaling just 7 million meticais. This decline contrasts with the performance of 2023, when production increased by 23% compared to the previous year, reaching 4.4 million meticais.
During the 2022-2023 agricultural year, Mozambique cultivated 76,850 hectares of tobacco, resulting in production of 65,856 tons, a 15% reduction compared to the previous agricultural year. For the current 2023-2024 season, the government plans to expand the cultivation area to 129,300 hectares, with production estimated at 81,200 tons.
Mozambique is currently the eighth largest country in terms of tobacco cultivation area in the world, according to a report by the World Health Organization, and ranks as the third largest tobacco producer in Africa. Despite the significant reduction in production, the country remains one of the main players in the global tobacco market, with challenges and opportunities on the horizon for the coming years.
