admin
weekly auction floors sales have continued to be depressed compared to contracted tobacco sales.
The total auction floor sales have reached 45 million kg compared to contract sales at 76,3 million kg. About 72 204 growers have so far delivered tobacco against a total of 90 172 growers who have registered for the season. During the same period last year, about 68 604 growers registered.
A1 farmers are leading the sales having sold 33 percent of the total sales since the opening of the marketing season.
About 30 860 A1 growers have sold 38,4 million kg worth US$138m at an average price of US$3,58 per kg.
More than 5 000 A2 farmers have sold 35,1 million kg worth US$139m, while 29 509 communal farmers have sold 32 million kg worth US$112m.
Small scale farmers have contributed 12 million kg of tobacco worth US$44m.
A number of tobacco growers have complained over the increase in the rejected bales, a practice they think is aimed at bringing back the B class buyers informally.
The farmers complained that they end up selling their bales to private buyers after they would have been rejected at the auction floors.
But TIMB chairperson Mrs Monica Chinamasa has denied the existence of Class B buyers at the auction floors and encouraged farmers to consult the TIMB arbitrators when they have problems.
About 170 million kg of tobacco are expected to be sold this year as the country moves towards regaining its status as one of the major tobacco producers in the world.
Online Reporter