Farmers reportedly sold 7 815 kgs of Tobacco worthy $13 566 on the opening day of the 2020 Tobacco marketing season, as compared to last year’s 3 886 kgs worth US$7 116, sold on the opening day of the marketing season, The Herald reports.
However, Boka Auction Floors Rudo Nyakudya said deliveries were still low when she spoke to the publication:
Farmers are trying to figure out how to align with the new guidelines and check on pricing. The other challenge that farmers are going to face is that most of them have been relying on small trucks to deliver and this season they cannot use such trucks as this is against the TIMB Covid-19 regulations.
The other thing that may affect farmers this season is the issue of having to send representatives. This industry has been built on trust; some farmers had their own transporters and cannot switch to new operators. The TIMB guidelines are good for safety but may affect some farmers.
Mrs Nyakudya also said that the prices were good and said she hoped they would continue to improve as the season progresses.
More: The Herald