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TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri had indicated at the beginning of the selling season that Boka Tobacco Floors, Tobacco Sales Floor and Premier Tobacco Floors had the capacity to handle tobacco and complete the season in 75 days.
The TIMB urged growers who sell on auction floors to complete grading and baling operations by July 3.
“The flue-cured auction tobacco clean-up sale for the 2013 marketing season will be held on Tuesday, August 6.
“Depending on the volume of deliveries the clean-up sale may be continued for more than one day, until all delivered tobacco has been sold,” said TIMB in a statement.
Dr Matibiri said due to the high volumes still being received at the contract floors, sales will continue.
Contracted growers were, however, advised to finalise the grading and marketing of their tobacco.
TIMB had allowed the sale of mixed and mouldy bales from July 3. The existing booking-in system will continue unaltered and would include sales of mouldy bales.
“Late deliveries will need to be booked into the system before sale to ensure that they are subjected to the stop order system,” said TIMB.
No appeals may be made on declared defective bales except for foreign matter.
Any bale containing foreign matter may not be sold or declared for the defect. Such bales would be returned to the grower for rehandling or destroyed.
Bales that have been rejected by arbitrators as defective (excluding bales rejected for foreign matter) and held at auction or contract sales floors can be re-offered in the last two days of sales.
Last year, 144 million kg of flue-cured tobacco worth US$527 million were sold with 170 million kg expected to go under the hammer this season.
By day 93, 155 million kg of flue- cured tobacco worth US$573 had been sold.
Many farmers have been shifting to tobacco due to the favourable prices.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter