to 55,5 million kg after 1,4 million kg was sold during the two clean-up sales after the close of the official selling season.
Of the 70,1 million, BMZ sold 9,1 million kg valued at US$22 m, TSL and ZITAC sold 11 million kg and 8,6 million valued at US$26,7 m and US$21,1 m respectively. Contract farming accounted for 41,3 million kg valued at US$94,5 m.
The 70 million kg is a far cry from the country’s glory days, when tobacco production reached a record high of 236,13 million kg.
TIMB acting chief executive Andrew Matibiri said the industry was aiming to increase production to 120 million kg next year, following the purchase of seed to cover 95 000 hectares. – CAJ News
20.9.2007
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Final tobacco figures
HARARE - A total of 70,1million kg of tobacco, valued at US$164,3 m ($118,5 bn), were sold at the close of the 2007 season, according to figures obtained from the Tobacco Industry Marketing Board on Friday.
During the same period last year, a total of 54 173 445 kg were sold; the figure rose