Tobacco marketing season opens

Tobacco prices last year hovered around $3 to $4 with the highest hitting a record of $5 per kilogramme.
Sales during last year’s season grossed $361,5 million from 132,4 million kg sold.
Firmer prices are expected to prevail this year following floods that destroyed the crop in Brazil and the United States, world leaders in producing the golden leaf.
Officially opening the 2012 marketing season, Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made implored all licensed auction floors to ensure a smooth marketing season.
“During the last marketing season, a serious decline in the average price occurred at about eight weeks into the season leading to withdrawal of tobacco from sale,” he said.
“It is my expectation that this year will see a consistent pricing and purchasing pattern that ensures the viability of growers.”
Dr Made reminded farmers to register and grade their crop properly before delivering to the floors.
“Farmers and other stakeholders in the tobacco industry expect an improvement in the way business is done at the floors and not scenes evoking memories of the last selling season,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Tobacco Industries and Marketing Board (TIMB) chairperson Mrs Monica Chinamasa said 35 000 growers had so far registered to sell their tobacco.
She said measures had been taken to ensure adequate supply of Hessian wraps for packaging.
“The information supplied at registration enables the industry to produce an accurate crop estimate for planning purposes.
“To ensure this, all growers wishing to purchase seed for the next season will now be required to have registered for the next agricultural season,” she said.
Boka Tobacco Auction Floor (BTAF) managing director Mr Matthew Boka said they were expecting at least 1 000 bales to go on sale on opening day.
He expressed optimism at a smooth selling season buttressed by firming prices and the expected decongestion after the licensing of a fourth auction floor.
Tobacco Sales Floor (TSF) general manger Mr James Mubatanesango said they had made necessary preparations at their floors to ensure a smooth season.
“Today we expect 1 500 bales to go under the hammer. The season has begun on a very good note and we hope it can be sustained,” he said.
Initial prices obtaining at Boka were as high as $4,75 while the lowest was $3,20.
Production of the golden leaf is on the increase in the country buoyed by favourable prices.
The country peaked production of the golden leaf at 271 million kgs in 1999. – New Ziana.