Burley floors open

Source from:  tobaccoreporter.com 06/22/2007

At least 300 bales passed through Zimbabwe’s auctions on the first day of burley sales, June 20, reports The Herald. The average price was about US$1.30 per kg. Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board acting chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri expected deliveries to be high as trucks ferrying tobacco to the auction floors were provided with diesel. Fuel has been in short supply in Zimbabwe as a result of the country’s ongoing foreign currency shortage. The selling season started after the TIMB and Air Cured Tobacco Association reached agreement on a marketing plan for the 2007 season. Officials expect between 350 tons and 400 tons of burley to go under the hammer this season. At its peak Zimbabwe produced 18,000 tons of burley per year.