By Own Correspondent- Zimbabwean farmers are expected to sell up to 240 million kg of tobacco this year, a 5 percent decrease from 2018 due to drought.

This was revealed by a Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.

TIMB data seen by Reuters shows tobacco exports have already earned $178 million since January, with South Africa and China the top two importers.

In an official circular on Wednesday, the RBZ said farmers would now be paid in the local transitional RTGS dollar currency, reversing a decision to pay them half their money in U.S. dollars. The biggest farmers’ group said it was studying the notice.