Eleven companies have applied to operate auction floors next growing season in what may expand and decentralise the leaf market, the Zimbabwe Herald reported.

Five of the applicants are seeking to operate auction floors in Harare, and the remaining six applied for licenses to run floors in growing districts Makonde, Rusape, Chinhoyi, Marondera and Myurwi. This year three companies operated auction floors in Harare, prompting calls by farmers for decentralisation, the newspaper said in a story posted on its website 25 Oct.
Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board CEO Andrew Matibiri told the newspaper successful applicants will be announced soon. (pi)