Farmers Content with Burley Tobacco Prices

Source from:  Business Reporter July 02, 2007 07/05/2007

FARMERS involved in the production of burley tobacco have expressed satisfaction with the prices the crop is fetching from the auction floors saying the prices could spur more people to venture into the production of the tobacco. Few farmers in the country grow burley, which plays second fiddle to flue-cured tobacco, because it fetches less on the market. But since the opening of the burley marketing season last week, the prices have been ranging between US$1,50 and US$2,60, which is a good price for the brand of tobacco compared to last year’s average of US$1,20 per kilogramme. Farmers who spoke to the Herald Business said they were happy with the prices that were being offered at the auction floors and would increase the hectarage under burley. "We are happy with the prices our tobacco is fetching on the market and this could signal the recovery of burley tobacco in the country. "A price of US$1,50 plus is a good price for our crop as the production of burley does not require a lot money as compared to that of flue-cured tobacco," said Mr Chamunorwa Harineki, a burley farmer from Marondera. Another farmer from Mashonaland West said he had tried burley at a small portion of his land and was happy with the returns he was getting and he intended to increase its acreage. Production of burley tobacco took a nosedive in the country after the former producers, white farmers, left the country following the land redistribution exercise. Tobacco Growers Trust president Mr Wilfanos Mashingaidze said he was pleased that farmers were realising profits from the sale of burley tobacco as the crop usually fetches far less that the US$150. "Tobacco prices have generally been good this year and farmers have been getting favourable proceeds from the sales. "I was at the floors and was thrilled with the prices and hope this will encourage more farmers into the production of burley tobacco. "Burley tobacco is cheap to produce as it does not require specialised packaging that is now expensive and in short supply," he said. He said his trust would encourage farmers to venture into the production of burley tobacco in conjunction with flue-cured tobacco. Burley marketing started last week and authorities said the deliveries have been encouraging. Between 350 and 400 tonnes of burley tobacco is expected to be sold this year. On Tuesday marketing of oriental tobacco began and more than 30 tonnes of the special blend tobacco is expected to go under the hammer during the current marketing season. Zimbabwe expects more 80 million kilogrammes of flu-cured tobacco although farmers have already promised to increase the 2007-8 target to 100 million kilogrammes. Enditem