Zambian Government to Step in to Buy Unwanted Burley

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 08/03/2011

Ephraim Mwenda, chairperson of the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ), has welcomed the government's decision to release US$7.5 million to buy unsold Burley tobacco from growers, according to a Times of Zambia story. Mwenda said that a lack of buyers for Burley this season was posing problems, especially for independent farmers who did not have contracts. He said the government would buy unsold Burley through the TBZ. The government will purchase the Burley at the prevailing market price of US$0.40-US$0.50 per kg. Mwenda urged growers in Zambia to produce dark-fired and flue-cured tobacco that had ready markets. Enditem