Zimbabwe: 2013  Tobacco Selling Season Closes

Source from:  The Herald  07/01/2013

The 2013 flue-cured tobacco auction marketing season will close next Friday, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board announced yesterday.

Final deliveries will be accepted on Thursday July 4, 2013. This season closes after 99 days while the 2012 selling season ran for 145 days.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri indicated at the beginning of the selling season that Boka Tobacco Floors, Tobacco Sales Floor and Premier Tobacco Floors had the capacity to handle tobacco and complete the season in 75 days.

The TIMB urged growers who sell on auction floors to complete grading and baling operations by Wednesday July 3.

"The flue-cured auction tobacco clean up sale for the 2013 marketing season will be held on Tuesday, August 6.

"Depending on the volume of deliveries the clean-up sale may be continued for more than one day, until all delivered tobacco has been sold," said TIMB in a statement.

Dr Matibiri said due to the high volumes still being received at the contract floors, sales will continue.

Contracted growers were, however, advised to finalise the grading and marketing of their tobacco.

According to the TIMB, from July 3, declared mixed and mouldy bales may be sold and such bales should be declared for defect prior to sales.

The existing booking-in system will continue unaltered and shall include sales of mouldy bales. Enditem