Burley tobacco sales began on a good note on 20 June with at least 300 bales sold for about USD 1.30 per kg, reports the national daily, The Herald.

The selling season began after the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) and Air Cured Tobacco Association (ACTA) reached agreement on a marketing plan for the 2007 season. As in previous years, ACTA, which brings together the producers of Burley, oriental, dark air-cured and fire-cured tobaccos, would buy the entire crop for resale to local merchants and manufacturers.
TIMB's acting chief executive, Dr Andrew Matibiri, expected deliveries to be high as trucks transporting tobacco to the auction floors were provided with diesel.
Between 350 tonnes and 400 tonnes of the crop was expected to go under the hammer this season. At its peak, Zimbabwe produced 18 million kg of burley per year. Burley production had declined considerably over the years due to poor prices and increased production in neighbouring countries.
Oriental tobacco sales were to begin on 26 June and take place every week on Tuesdays, a Tobacco Industry Marketing Board official announced.
Matibiri said at least 30 tonnes of oriental tobacco was expected to be sold under the current marketing season against 14 tonnes sold in 2006. Farmers are expected to be paid between USD 0.50 and 2.85 per kg against USD 0.25 to 2.50 paid in 2006.