Published: 23 July 2013

While the 2013 tobacco selling season officially ended on July 5 after 99 days of trading, contract sales continue to trickle in taking the funds realised by farmers to $598m.

Market watchers contend that the current season is one of the most successful tobacco seasons since the country embarked on the controversial land reform programme.

Last year 144m kg of flue-cured tobacco worth $527m was sold in 145 days compared to 168m kg this year.

Figures from the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board shows that on day 108 339 023 kg of tobacco went under the hammer and fetched over $1 250m at an average price of $3,69 compared to the same period last season when  473 740 kg of tobacco were sold for $508 169 at an average price of $1,07.

The 2013 sales are expected to reach the 170m kg target.
- daily news

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