The 2018 tobacco selling season commences on March 21 this year, the industry regulator has said. In a statement on Sunday, the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) said auction floors would start selling tobacco on the same day while contract sales begin the following day.
“All stakeholders are advised that the 2018 auction tobacco marketing season starts on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Contract tobacco sales will start on Thursday, March 22, 2018,” said the board.
TIMB added: “Sales bookings will open on Wednesday March 7, 2018 and deliveries accepted as from March 12th 2018.” The tobacco selling season opens late this year because the country received rains late, resulting in farmers planting late. Most of Zimbabwean tobacco is rain fed. Tobacco is one of the country’s largest foreign currency earners. Export destinations for Zimbabwean tobacco include China, South Africa, Korea, Sudan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand and Egypt. – New Ziana/Herald
