Looking to ‘scrape through’

Tobacco growers in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh were looking for higher prices as this year’s marketing season got under way this week, according to a story in the latest issue of the BBM Bommidala Group newsletter.

The growers told the Tobacco Board that the average price should not go below Rs135 per kg if they were to ‘scrape through this year after two successive years of heavy losses’.

The Board is being urged to ensure that growers receive Rs160-170 per kg for bright-grade leaf and at least Rs120 per kg for low grades.

The Farmers’ Association said that the Board should take into consideration the challenging conditions under which the crop was raised – conditions that included a prolonged dry spell.

Andhra’s crop is expected to total about 105 million kg this year, well short of the 130 million kg that were authorised.

According to the Indian Tobacco Association, the total crop is expected to comprise 40 percent bright grades, 25 percent medium grades, with low grades making up the remainder.