Tobacco sold at auction since 19 Feb is going for 16 per cent less than a year ago, according to a wire service report citing Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board CEO Andrew Matibiri.

Leaf prices are averaging USD 2.87 (EUR 2.07) per kilogram compared with USD 3.42 last year, Bloomberg News reported. Prices are rising as the auction season continues, Matibiri told the wire service. Zimbabwe grows mostly flue-cured Virginia tobacco. This year’s crop may be larger than last year, in part due to an increase of about 20,000 registered growers to 86,000.