Tobacco deliveries to Zimbabwe's auction floors have declined from 1 million kg per day at the peak of the selling season to 300,000kg per day owing to severe fuel and wrapping paper shortages affecting many farmers. Electricity blackouts have also compounded the problem as the farmers are failing to grade their crop for sale.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Wilson Nyabonda indicated that the problem could affect immediate agricultural plans. He said most farmers use tobacco proceeds to purchase inputs for the summer farming season. "We have made representations to the relevant authorities over the matter. We are now waiting for the issues to be resolved," he said.
Deliveries to the auction floors have been spurred on by Government’s support price of Zim$40,000 per kilogramme of high quality leaves that fetch US$1,50 per kg.
Report revealed that over US$100 million has so far been realised from the sale of the crop. However, it is feared that the delivery constraints that the farmers are facing could put a damper on the farmers’ growing confidence.
Secretary for the Ministry of Energy Justin Mupamhanga said, "The bottom line is fuel is in short supply in Zimbabwe. It is therefore being distributed according to the available quantities. But we continue to strive to get the product to farmers."
Sunday Mail
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