Tobacco farmers at auction floor |
Over 20 million
kilogrammes of tobacco worth $52,5 million have been sold so far across
the country's auction and contract floors, according to statistics
released by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB).
Sales have
increased by 44 percent compared to $36,5 million recorded last season
and are now at 10 percent of the projected 205 million kilogrammes.
The average price
for auction floors and contract farming was $2,62 per kg, four percent
higher than the $2,53 of the 2016 marketing season.
The highest price was $6 per kg, while rejected bales stood at 21 029 compared to 2 981 for last year.
Rejected bales have
recorded 605 percent increase due to the incessant rains, which
prolonged tobacco curing, resulting in bales becoming mouldy.
Bales sold are now
at 269 910, whereas 290 888 have been laid, with the country having so
far earned $185,5 million from seasonal exports.
Progressive Tobacco
Farmers Association Zimbabwe president Mr Mutandwa Mutasa said with
long queues growing by each day at the floors as farmers run around to
fetch high prices on offer, the TIMB should double the time of sales per
day.
"TIMB should double
the time of sales per day or institute a 24-hour sales schedule to
avoid the imminent risk which comes with overcrowding of farmers at the
floors," he said.
In response to the
request, TIMB spokesperson Mr Isheunesu Moyo, said they did not perform
24-hour sales because they wanted to maintain the status quo of high
prices.
"For optimum
prices, tobacco is sold under natural lighting and that is the reason
why we end our sales when lighting is still good," he said.
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