2017 tobacco season to expected to open early

The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has expressed its readiness to open the 2017 tobacco marketing season early with all the three main auction floors and 19 contract buyers having been licenced to buy the golden leaf. The Reserve Bank had already indicated that auction floors might open early this season with unconfirmed reports indicating that the 2017 tobacco marketing season might open in February unlike the usual month of April.

TIMB Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Matibiri expressed confidence that auction floors and contract buyers will be ready to open doors as soon as farmers are ready to sell their golden leaf. Although farmers have increased production this season, the hailstorm which hit some parts of the country is the major challenge threatening to adversely affect the expected bumper harvest.

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