Zim tobacco deliveries fall short of target

Published: 04 September 2013

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board have revised the tobacco target from 170 million to 166,5 million.

This follows the decline in tobacco deliveries at most contract floors.

TIMB chief executive Dr Andrew Matibiri described the 2013 tobacco selling season as a successful one considering that the target was only missed by about 2,5 percent.

"We will not get to the targeted 170 million kg since most growers have sold their crop.

"The season was a good one with high quality tobacco fetching good and firm prices," he said.

This season the highest price at the auction floors remained at US$4,99 per kg throughout the year. This is the second year that prices at the auction floors have failed to surpass US$5 per kg.

Most farmers have expressed concern over the price ceiling and complained that it was a way of forcing many to sell their crop through the contract floors.

Dr Matibiri said this was not an issue since farmers who were into contract farming had debts to settle.

He said contract farmers will be able to settle their debts if they are offered a higher price.

Dr Matibiri said funding remained a major challenge affecting tobacco production.

"Like any other agricultural sectors tobacco production is being hampered by lack of funding. Farmers are improving the quality of the crop every season but with adequate funding the quality will keep on going up," he said.

Dr Matibiri also said there was need for further training for tobacco farmers to attain the high quality crop required by the market.

Latest statistics from the TIMB indicate that 166,1 million kg worth US$611 at an average price of US43,68 per kg.

This is an increase from, the 144 million kg valued at US$3,66 per kg sold same period last year.

Contract farmers have sold 112 million kg worth US4422 million while 53,5 million kg of tobacco were sold through auction floors.

Dr Matibiri said from tobacco seed sales, indications were that tobacco production was going to increase next season.
- herald

Tags: Tobacco,