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Business Editor
Just over 10,1 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco had been sold by last week on Friday in the process generating $29 million.
At the same time last year 9,7 million kilogrammes of tobacco raking in $33,4 million had been sold.
At least 180 million kilogrammes are expected to be delivered to the auction floors up from 166 million kilogrammes delivered last year.
According to the latest Tobacco Industry and Market report contract sales have so far dominated the floors at 6,1 million kilogrammes.
The total volume sold so far is 3,71 percent above that of the same time last year while the value is 13 percent lower as a result of depressed prices.
Prices have remained subdued with the average price on day 13 (last Friday) having been $2,87 per/kg compared to an average of $3,42 the prior year.
The selling season began on February 19 with an opening price of $4,85 per kilogramme of the golden leaf.
On Friday, Tobacco Sales Floor (TSF), handled 100,400 kilogrammes of the golden leaf valued at $266,000 at an average price of $2,58.
Boka Tobacco Auction Floor sold 81,958 kilogrammes valued at close to $187,000 at an average price of $2,28.
Premier Tobacco Floors sold 71,915 kilogrammes of tobacco valued at $189,194 at an average price of $2,63.
A total of 141,081 bales have so far been laid with 129,118 having been sold and 9,837 rejected for various reasons.
The average weight of the bale is currently 79 kilogrammes compared to 81 kilogrammes last year.
Contract sales across the three auction floors totalled 880,824 compared to 615,422 the prior year.
The average price for the contract sales at $3,16 was 10 percent down compared to the 2013 price of $3,52.
More than 88,000 growers registered compared to about 65,444 in 2013.
Officially opening the marketing season last month, Dr Ignatius Chombo, who was Acting Agriculture and Irrigation Development Minister said tobacco was expected to drive the growth of agriculture.
The sector is expected to grow by 9 percent this year.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter