Zimbabwe: Tobacco Marketing On Next Month

Source from:  Financial Gazette (Harare) 01/10/2012

THE tobacco marketing season begins next month as growers with an irrigated crop are already reaping while the dryland crop suffered the inconsistent rains experienced last year. Tobacco planting delayed this season due to late rains with some farmers still planting well after the December 31 deadline. While the delays in planting may affect yield and quality, production is expected to increase to 150 million kilogrammes, from 133 million kg last year. Wilfred Nhemwa, an official with the Tobacco Association of Zimbabwe said 2011/2012 was a mixed season for farmers because of the late rains. "The rains confused growers who then planted late because of the unpredictable weather conditions. As a result those with a dryland crop suffered a bit. "However information on the ground shows that everything is on track with yield expected to be little over what we got last year," Nhe-mwa said. Farmers are looking forward to a better marketing season compared to last year when prices averaged US$2,73 per kg. For those with good yields and quality tobacco, a hectare earned them at least US$ 7 000. Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board chairperson, Monica Chinamasa said far-mers were looking forward to orderly marketing considering there will be four auction floors operating this season. "There should not be any kind of congestion at the floors as we expect these floors to be ready to receive the volumes of tobacco produced this season," she said. Chinamasa urged all farmers to book their tobacco in advance. "It is a must and should be implemented to the later. No unbooked tobacco should be sold." Farmers are also expecting fair prices for their crop although it was a difficult season, marred with expensive inputs resulting in farmers compromising the quality and output. "Good quality tobacco should fetch a fair price. Although the season had its challenges such as erratic rains in the northern parts of the country, good quality tobacco should fetch the best prices," she added. Global forecast for 2012 from Universal Corporation shows that flue-cured production (excluding China) will increase by about five percent, to about 2,2 billion kg. Most of the increase will occur in Brazil where unfavourable weather conditions reduced the crop in 2011, and this year weather caused higher than normal yields. Burley production is also forecast to increase by about five percent, with most of this increase coming from Brazil, although many areas continue to overproduce. However, the leaf market is said to be in an oversupply situation for medium to low quality tobacco styles whereas there is strong demand for flavour/quality tobacco with many buyers looking for value. Enditem