Growers have delivered nine million kilogrammes more tobacco so far this year but earnings have not risen due to lower prices for poor quality leaf, according to the Zimbabwe Herald.

Deliveries so far this year are 57.2 million kgs vs 48.3 million kgs in the same time period last season but gross earnings at USD 180.9 million (EUR 131 million) are marginally lower, according to Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) data cited by the newspaper. Average price at USD 3.16 compares with last year’s USD 3.74, the newspaper said. Contract prices are higher than leaf sold at auction, the Herald said.