adminElita Chikwati Senior Agriculture Reporter
The 2021 tobacco marketing season will close next week on Wednesday, with final deliveries expected on July 13, but contract floors will continue until further notice.
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said clean up sales will be conducted in August.
“All growers who sell on auction floors are, therefore, advised to complete their grading and baling operations by Monday July 12 at the very latest,” said TIMB.
“The flue cured auction tobacco clean up sale for the 2021 marketing season will be held on Wednesday August 5. Depending on the volumes of deliveries the clean up sale may be continued for more than one day and until all delivered tobacco has been sold.
“Because of the volumes that are still being received, contracted sales will continue until further notice.” The 2021 tobacco marketing season kicked off on April 7, while contract sales opened the following day.
Throughout the season, high volumes of tobacco have been sold at the contract floors, while auction floors recorded low volumes.
As of July 7, farmers had sold 183,7million kilogrammes worth US$507 million.
This is an increase from last year’s US$391 earned from the sale of 158 million kilogrammes of the crop.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter