Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1544874
64 tobaccoasia Issue 3, 2026 May / June Famous Rock managing director, Tatenda Mubatapasi. Credit: Famous Rock Seedbeds in Urambo, Tanzania. Credit: Famous Rock Burley in Chato, Tanzania. Credit: Famous Rock Greece and Turkey. "We would like to increase the volume in UAE and Egypt, as well as penetrate Greece and Turkey," Mubatapasi interviewed. Challenges in exporting The company faces significant hurdles in global trade. "We entered into the tobacco industry during a period where there is tobacco oversupply in the world," Mubatapasi said. This oversupply makes customers choosy, leading to unfavorable payment terms, he added. Moreover, "there is always that negative perception when it comes to new African companies entering the tobacco business," Mubatapasi observed. Despite using the same facilities and packaging as larger players, Famous Rock often encounters unwarranted skepticism from buyers. But that doesn't deter the company from firmly ne- gotiating its path. Looking ahead, Famous Rock is diversifying. "We are currently set- ting up groundwork to introduce shisha-grade tobacco production and ci- gar wrapper trials. We are also trading cloves specifically for the kretek ciga- rette sector," Mubatapasi revealed. The company is open to collaborations, whether in introducing new crops or constructing blends tailored to customer needs. "We are 100% open for collaborations in this industry," Mubatapasi emphasized, signaling a willingness to adapt and innovate. Global Leaf Tobacco Private Limited Global Leaf Tobacco (Private) Limited, established in 2022 and licensed by Zimbabwe's Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board, has quickly grown into a significant player. Marketing and sales director Stephen Dube explained to Tobacco Asia that "Global Leaf is primed to help uplift smallholder farmer communities by offering endless possibilities through helping them partici- pate in the production of high-quality FCV." The company provides inputs such as fertilizers, chemicals, and agronomic support, engaging farmers through contract farming arrangements. In its maiden year, Global Leaf participated only in auction floors, but by the 2023-24 season, it contracted 3,000 small-scale farmers, later expand- ing to 4,500 farmers with an average hectarage of one hectare per farmer.