Chapter 379: Gold Leaf
On February 3, 1872, in Harare, Zimbabwe, Ernst arrived and took the opportunity to inspect the construction work in the region. As he passed through fields of tobacco, lush and vibrant, he felt a sense of accomplishment.
Leaka, the mayor of Harare Town, proudly introduced the tobacco planting area planned by Hexingen Tobacco Company in Zimbabwe for the year. The expansion of tobacco planting across various regions of Zimbabwe aimed to move the production bases from the northern part of East Africa to Zambia and Zimbabwe, with Zimbabwe specializing in high-end tobacco.
Ernst was pleased to see that his policies were being effectively implemented. Zimbabwe had a rich history of tobacco cultivation and was renowned for its high-quality tobacco leaves.
In his previous life, Ernst had become familiar with Zimbabwean tobacco leaves through a friend from the Far East Tobacco Company during a business trip. He had been surprised to learn that Zimbabwean tobacco leaves were highly sought after and even auctioned.
Zimbabwean tobacco leaves had several qualities that made them exceptional. They were of high quality, had a unique aroma, were mature, and had low chemical residues, making them relatively healthy for consumption. Zimbabwe's climate, with its suitable sunshine and rainfall, was ideal for growing high-quality flue-cured tobacco.
Moreover, Zimbabwe's granite sandy loam tobacco fields were unique in the world and perfectly suited for tobacco cultivation. The tobacco leaves grown there were soft and golden, earning them the name "golden tobacco leaves," and they were used as a primary raw material in high-end cigarettes.
Zimbabwean tobacco leaves were highly prized worldwide and held a status in the tobacco industry comparable to that of Cuban cigars for cigars. However, their fame had not spread widely, especially among consumers in the world's largest flue-cured tobacco market.
In his previous life, the Far East had been the first to import Zimbabwean tobacco leaves. Most high-quality cigarettes in the Far East countries used Zimbabwean tobacco leaves as a primary ingredient, along with tobacco from Yunnan. Even in the United States, Zimbabwean tobacco was mixed into high-end American cigarettes.
Hexingen Tobacco Company's decision to expand tobacco cultivation in Zimbabwe was influenced by Ernst's immigration policy. He had encouraged the migration of agricultural workers inland, and tobacco growers were among the first to make the move.
Ernst knew that Zimbabwe was an ideal location for tobacco cultivation, and it would take several years of selective breeding and cultivation to reach the world's highest grade of tobacco.
With this in mind, Ernst shared his plans with Leaka, stating that Zimbabwe would become the future tobacco planting base for the East African Kingdom. He even envisioned establishing a tobacco factory in Harare to create the "Harare tobacco" brand, ensuring that tobacco planting was a top priority.
Ernst also revealed that he planned to use the name "Golden Leaf" for the tobacco company in East Africa, inspired by Zimbabwean tobacco leaves being known as "golden tobacco leaves." The name would emphasize quality and taste, positioning the product as mid-to-high-end for markets in East Africa and Europe.
By introducing "Golden Leaf" produced in Zimbabwe as a premium product, Ernst aimed to distinguish it from Hexingen Tobacco Company's existing low-end cigarette brands. This strategic move would cater to a higher-income consumer base willing to pay a premium for better quality.
In this way, the East African tobacco industry was set to undergo significant changes, and Zimbabwe's reputation as a tobacco producer was destined to rise on the global stage.
(End of the chapter)