Tobacco Sales Surpass 2012 Final Output

Source from:  Zimbabwe Herald (zw) 06/13/2013

Flue-Cured tobacco sales have now reached 146 million kilogrammes, surpassing the 2012 final output of 144,5 million kilogrammes.

During the corresponding 80th day in 2012 more than 117 million kg had been sold.

So far, farmers have earned a total of US$538 million from the sale of the golden leaf while burley tobacco sales have raked in US$267 663 from the sale of 177 248kg.

At the same time last year 9 413kg of burley tobacco had been sold with farmers pocketing US$22 165.

Latest statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board indicate that prevailing prices at selling points have remained stable.

Slide

The 2013 seasonal average price, the TIMB said, is likely going to slide down below the US$3,70 per kg as the least quality crop continues to dominate the market.

Dark air-cured tobacco sales continue with 62 000kg worth 95 000 going under the hammer compared to 145 000kg worth US$234 000 that had been sold the same period last year.

Deliveries at the auction floors have declined although the crop is still coming in huge volumes at the contract market.

Premier Tobacco Floor managing director Mr Philemon Mangena said most farmers had sold their crop with deliveries declining to around 1 200 bales per day compared to 6 000 bales during the peak period.

Some contract floors have terminated the contracts of the seasonal workers due to the decline in the deliveries.

Tobacco production continue to grow since the crop has become popular due to the attractive prices.

Zimbabwe has more than 90 000 registered growers and more than 82 percent of them are small-scale growers who produce tobacco on one or two hectares having benefited from the land reform programme.

The growers are almost 98,9 percent indigenised with many women and youths now empowered and employing more than 1,2 million people with close to six million dependants.

This translates almost to half of the Zimbabwean population. Enditem