Zimbabwe: Tobacco Selling Season Moved to Next Month

Source from:  Harare 04/07/2009

THE 2009 tobacco selling season that was scheduled to kick off during the last week of this month may now be moved to next month. The tobacco selling season traditionally opens in April each year. Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, which is responsible for tobacco sales has proposed April 29 as the tentative date for the opening of the 2009 season but this might change as the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair would be running during that time. Officials within the industry said there was need, therefore, to defer the opening to the first week of May to accommodate the annual trade showcase. "It is important that people attend because this is one of the major events that we have in the country, the official said. When contacted for comment, TIMB's acting chief executive, Dr Andrew Matibiri said he would only be in a position to comment after the TIMB board meeting on Wednesday. The 2009 season is expected to be a lot better than the previous seasons as all three floors have been licenced while nine contract buyers have been granted the necessary approval to purchase tobacco. The adoption of the multiple currency system in the country was, to a large extent, expected to address challenges that were faced by farmers in the past. Issues relating to delays in pay-outs, cash shortages, shortages of packaging material, transport costs and poor prices led to numerous stoppages during the season ultimately resulting in a drop in the total amount of tobacco delivered during the entire season. Out of a target of 75 million kg, only 47 million kg had been delivered by the end of last season. The TIMB has since revised its target downward to 42 million kg for this season although Dr Matibiri is optimistic that the deliveries would surpass the target due to the favourable climate in the country. Enditem