Zimbabwe: Tobacco Deliveries Draw Closer to Target

Source from:  The Herald  07/19/2013

Tobacco deliveries continue to draw closer to the 170 million kilogrammes target for this year as contractors continue to receive tobacco from growers.

A total of 160,8 million kg worth US$593,4 million had been delivered by Monday this week.

This compares favourably to 135,3 million kg worth US$499,9 million that was delivered during the same period last year.

To date, about 78 279 growers have delivered tobacco against a total of 91 278 growers who have registered for 2013 season. During the same period last year about 70 876 had registered.

Tobacco sales through the auction system have continued after the closure of contract sales about two week ago.

When the contract selling season closed after 99 days, a cumulative 159,3 million kg worth US$588 million had been sold.

Contract sales accounted for 106 million kg worth US$399 million and auction sales accounting for the balance of 53 million kg valued at US$189 million.

Of the 160,8 million kg, 107,4 million kg worth US$404,4 million was sold under contract while 53,3 million kg worth US$189,02 million was sold under auction.

Meanwhile, 17 003 new growers have registered to grow tobacco next year.

The bulk of the new farmers are from Mashonaland West, which has 6 724 new farmers followed by Mashonaland Central with 4 875, Manicaland 3 283 farmers, Mashonaland East 1 921, Midlands 111, Masvingo 88 and Matebeleland with one.

Tobacco has become a key sector in the economy.

In 2012, agriculture grew by 4,6 percent, with tobacco being the main component behind this growth. Enditem