Published: 15 August 2013

Tobacco growers have earned US$609 million from the sale of 165,5 million kg flue cured tobacco with the contract floors selling more than double the volume of tobacco sold through the auction floors.

Contract growers have sold 112 million kg of flue cured tobacco valued at $420 million with the auction floors closing on August 6 after 155 513 kg valued at $346 860 had been sold during the mop up sales.

This brought the total sales under the auction system to 53,6 million kg worth $189,4 million. Latest statistics from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board show Tobacco sales rake in $609 million that Mashonaland West province contributed the highest amount of tobacco amounting to 58 million-kg.

Mashonaland Central was second with 45 million kg, Mashonaland East 39 million kg, Manicaland 25 million kg, Midlands 391 597 kg and Masvingo 113 000 kg.

Two farmers from Matabeleland sold 22 000kg worth $91 398 at $4,09 per kg.

Tobacco has become the favourite crop for small holder farmers with 63 percent of the tobacco that has been sold so far coming from the A1, small scale and communal farmers.

A2 farmers have sold the highest percentage of the crop having sold 60 million kg worth $235 million.

The number of registered growers have remained stagnant at 91 278 for 2013 season.
- herald

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