Zimbabwe hopes for some relief in tobacco sales

Zimbabwe opened its tobacco selling season this week after a month-long delay because of the coronavirus lockdown.

The lockdown had been due to end on Friday but was extended for a further two weeks.

Tobacco is Zimbabwe's second-biggest foreign currency earner after gold.

The decision to press ahead with the sale came as a relief to thousands of farmers who had already been affected by a severe drought.

Nonetheless they fear the lockdown will have a major impact on their business this year.

They say their concerns include travel restrictions and a new rule that requires them to sell their crop through a go-between.

One of the world's top exporters alongside Brazil, Zimbabwe sends most of its tobacco to China, Europe and the Middle East.