Tobacco volume sold through early August was 7.3 per cent below last year at 183.5 million kilograms vs 198 million kg as the end of market season approached, Bernama news agency reported.

Auction floor sessions have been reduced to one a week, though contract sales are still in full swing, said Bernama, the Malaysian news agency. The average price per kilo at USD 2.97 (EUR 2.52) this year is moderately higher than the USD 2.95 per kg last year, according to Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) data cited by Bernama.. This year’s official target of 206 million kg may not be met, the news agency said in a report citing industry sources.