Zim Earns US$108,7m From Flue-Cured Tobacco

Source from:  Business Reporter 09/12/2006

ZIMBABWE has earned US$108,7 million from 54,2 million kilogrammes of flue-cured tobacco which went under the hammer by the end of the selling season last Friday compared to last year's US$92,4 million from 57,8 million kg of the "golden leaf". Contract farmers contributed 30,052 million kg or 55 percent of deliveries while burley accounted for 267 400kg worth US$198,9. The selling season, which kicked off on April 25, was extended to September 8 2006 to accommodate farmers who had not met the original August 31 deadline due to fuel shortages and other challenges. The year's crop, which was estimated at between 50 million and 60 million kg, is 15 percent down from last season' s 74 million kg. The average price for the golden leaf stood at US$2 compared to US$159,9 per kg last year. Unlike previous seasons which were characterised by protests against prices, this year's season proceeded without any major hitches. Meanwhile, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has announced that final clean-up sales will be held on September 26 and is yet to decide whether the sales will last for more than one day. Growers have been advised to continue with their grading and baling operations until September 25. TIMB technical services executive Dr Andrew Matibiri, however, said the existing booking-in system would continue to operate. "All deliveries still need to be booked into the system before sale to ensure that they are subjected to the stop order system," he said. Dr Matibiri added that all defective bales should be declared prior to the sales and no appeals would be entertained on declared defective bales except for foreign matter. Enditem