Sales Pick Up in Zimbabwe

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 05/31/2009

May 28, 2009-Tobacco deliveries to Zimbabwe's three sales floors have improved significantly since the season opened more than two weeks ago, according to a report in The Herald. Deliveries are said to have been stepped up following improvements to the way in which farmers are paid for their tobacco. Up to the start of this week, 64,293 bales had been offered for sale of which 58,893 were sold. During the corresponding period of last year, 36,351 bales were offered and 35,123 of them sold. According to figures issued by the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board, earnings from sales so far have amounted to US$19.4 million, up from US$5.5 million last season. The US$19.4 million (US$12.5 million in contract sales and US$6.8 million in auction sales) was realised from the sale of 6.8 million kg (4.4 million kg contract sales) at an average price of US$2.84 per kg. By the same point of last season's sales, 3.3 million kg had been sold for an average price of US$1.67 per kg. Enditem