Tobacco growers press for better prices
By Business Reporter EASTERN Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI) has appealed to Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBA) to come up with better tobacco prices for farmers to maximise production.
EPCCI chairperson, Timothy Nyirenda also urged the Eastern Fodya Association of Zambia (Efaz) to spearhead negotiations for better crop prices.
Mr Nyirenda said tobacco earnings in the sector had gone down due to the weakening of the Kwacha against the dollar and other convertible international currencies.
Mr Nyirenda said in an interview in Chipata yesterday that, good prices for tobacco per grade could motivate farmers who would be encouraged to grow more.
“Due to the continued weakening of the Kwacha against the dollar, it is important to negotiate for better tobacco prices,” he said.
Mr Nyirenda explained that tobacco buyers were using the current global financial meltdown to buy the crop at cheap prices.
He also expressed worry at delays by tobacco firms to open tobacco floors in the province
Mr Nyirenda said tobacco floors were initially opened every year in February, but it had not been the case this year and no reason had been given for such delays.
