Flue-cured Virginia touched a record high INR 150.20 (EUR 1.68) per kilogramme as tobacco auctions began in Karnataka, The Hindu reported.

Average per kg price on the first day was INR 145, the newspaper said on its website. Last year’s price was INR 140, The Hindu said. Growers in Karnataka state are expected to harvest about 120 million kg of tobacco this year compared with 94 million kg in the 2012-13 growing season.