Some tobacco farmers incurred heavy losses after their crop was
affected by the recent rains during transportation to the auction floors
in Harare. The affected farmers said this had resulted in their crop
being rejected at the floors for being too wet.
Wedza farmer Mr Tawanda Chisvo said his crop fetched low prices as the quality had been compromised by the rains.
“The problem is that some of the transporters do not have proper
tents that can adequately protect the bales from the rains. That some of
the bales will be rejected during sales means I will have to stay for a
longer period at the auction floors waiting to re-bale and sell the
tobacco,” he said.
Chiweshe farmer, Mrs Mariana Chaipa said instead of drying the crop
and repacking herself, it was better to sell the affected tobacco on the
parallel market and go back home.
“We negotiate on the price considering the price that would have been
offered by licenced buyers in the first place. For instance, if I was
supposed to get US$170 from my bale I can sell it at US$100 than for me
to stay longer,” she said.
Some contracted growers at the Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco said the rains
had made life hard for them as they had to spend about two days stuck in
the long queues.
http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=75825:rains-spoil-tobacco&catid=47:agriculture&Itemid=139#.UX4oSkoR3IU
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