Runyararo Muzavazi Herald Reporter
The tobacco marketing period has been reduced from the usual five days a week to two days a week, Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has said.
TIMB communications manager Mr Isheunesu Moyo last week said the reduction in days would be effective starting next week.
“The TIMB board advises all stakeholders that starting next week, auction sales of flue cured tobacco marketing season will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week.
“This arrangement will continue until the final date of auction and clear up sales have been announced,” said Mr Moyo.
Mr Moyo said no changes will take place in the case of contract sales.
“Because of the volumes still being received, contract sales will continue without any changes,” he said.
He also said mouldy and mixed bales will be sold with effect from next week.
“With effect from Tuesday 11th July, mixed and mouldy bales may be sold. All such bales will be declared for their defect prior to sales. The existing booking in system will continue unaltered and will include sale of mouldy bales. Late deliveries will need to be booked into the system before sale to ensure that they are subjected to the stop order system,” Mr Moyo said.
“No appeal may be made on declared defective bales except for foreign matters. Any bale containing foreign matter may not be sold declared for defect. Such bales must be returned to the grower for re-handling or destroyed.”
He also said that bales rejected by arbitrators may be reoffered next Tuesday.
Buyers’ resale maybe be booked in as normal up to the close of the marketing season.
Meanwhile, tobacco deliveries have declined by four percent with 173 million kilogrammes worth $509 million having been sold compared to 179 million kilogrammes worth $525 million sold during the same period last year.