Zambia: East Tobacco Body Predicts Low Auction in 2013

Source from:  Times of Zambia 02/16/2012

EASTERN Fodya Association of Zambia (EFAZ ) has said tobacco auctioning is likely to minimise in the 2013 marketing season due to reduced production characterised by lack of a potential local market. In an interview in Chipata last weekend, association board chairperson, Franklin Mwale said the reduction in the quantity was due to poor prices and market arrangements which the industry has been experiencing of late. Mr Mwale, however, thanked the Government for dissolving the Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) because it was not serving the interests of tobacco farmers. He said farmers were growing tobacco at their own risk because of poor tobacco prices on both the local and international markets. Mr Mwale has assured farmers in the region that the newly elected EFAZ board would work according to the expectations of the people and would represent them adequately. He said the association had embarked on a programme of visiting all the 5,600 members in the region. Mr Mwale said in the programme, the association was carrying out membership audit, evaluating the performance of its farmers since the time they started getting loans from EFAZ. And Mr Mwale has asked the Government to appoint experts with the knowledge in burley and flue cured tobacco who can explain and advise Government on the future of the tobacco industry. Enditem