Source: Auction floors to remain open: TIMB – herald
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board has assured farmers that auction floors will remain open for as long as there is tobacco to be sold, dismissing widespread speculation that most floors have already secured enough crop deliveries and could shut down prematurely.
In a statement issued this week, TIMB said all licensed auction floors would continue operating in line with the marketing season calendar and prevailing tobacco deliveries, urging farmers not to panic.
The regulator said reports suggesting that auction floors had already reached their required volumes were false and misleading.
TIMB emphasised that the tobacco marketing season was still active and farmers should continue bringing their crop to the floors under normal procedures.
“Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has noted circulating misinformation suggesting that tobacco sales floors will close soon. This information is false. Tobacco sales floors remain open to ensure all growers have adequate opportunity to market their crop.
“Growers are encouraged to continue with post-harvest processes, including grading and baling, in preparation for sale. Please note that TIMB is the sole authority mandated to announce the opening and closing of tobacco sales floors through its official and verified communication channels,” said TIMB on its social media handles.
The reassurance comes amid growing concern among tobacco producers following reports that some buyers were slowing purchases as deliveries increased across the country. Farmers had feared that an early closure of auction floors would leave many stranded with unsold crops or force them into contract arrangements at unfavourable prices.
Zimbabwe’s tobacco selling season opened earlier this year with expectations of another strong output, following increased hectarage and favourable rainfall in most growing regions. Tobacco remains one of the country’s top foreign currency earners, with thousands of smallholder farmers dependent on the crop for livelihoods. However, this season has not been good for the farmers as prices have sharply declined amid oversupply of the commodity on the international market.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Farmers union Trust president, Mr Edward Dune, said most farmers are yet to make their first deliveries especially those who planted rain-fed tobacco and will be severely affected if merchants stop buying mid the marketing season.
“Tobacco is not a crop that a farmer can take to Mbare Musika and sell it openly. If the floors are prematurely closed farmers will suffer huge losses.
“The assurance by TIMB will assist farmers to continue their work, such as curing, grading and baling properly without rushing, which will affect the quality of the leaf,” said Mr Dune.
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