2023 Tobacco marketing season gets underway
Pretty Manyewe
The 2023 tobacco selling season got underway yesterday with the official launch by Vice President Hon CGDN Chiwenga at Tobacco Sales Floor Limited (TSFL) in Harare getting the ball rolling.
According to TSFL Coordinator Mr. Zviito Muchasapo, the highest price paid so far was for a bale delivered yesterday which fetched a cool US$4.35/kg. This year’s selling season has shown a significant improvement in the buying price of tobacco, with the lowest price paid so far standing at US$2.20/kg compared to US$1.20/kg for the comparative period in the 2022 selling season.
The floor which began accepting the golden leaf on Monday has so far received a total of 850 bales.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Muchapo said that the selling season has started well without incidents of long queues and side marketing due to improved security systems by Tobacco auctioneers. He added that they expect the price to rise to USD 4.99/kg by Monday next week.
This year, farmers will receive 85 per cent of their tobacco proceeds in foreign currency while 15 per cent will be settled in local currency. Meanwhile, farmers, who expressed satisfaction with the prices being offered so far thanked President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic for supporting them.
“We are happy with the prices being offered this year. This will go a long way in improving our lives and that of our families. We thank the government for supporting us,” said one of the farmers.
The Vice President, who was accompanied by other government officials, commended the farmers for their hard work in producing quality tobacco that has put Zimbabwe on the global map.
“The tobacco industry is a crucial sector in our economy, and as a government, we will continue to support our farmers to ensure they benefit from their hard work. I am confident that this year’s selling season will be a success, and our farmers will reap the rewards of their labour,” said Dr. Chiwenga.
The opening of the 2023 tobacco selling season has brought renewed hope to Zimbabwean farmers, and it is expected to boost the country’s economy through improved foreign currency receipts.
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