According to a Zimbabwe Herald story dated July 26, the country’s flue-cured-tobacco growers have delivered a record crop of 239.8 million kg.
And, with sales due to end tomorrow, one other record could be set: the longest period in which prices have not increased.
The Herald reported that growers had been paid $700.9 million for their 239.9 million kg, which puts the average price at US$2.92 per kg.
That’s a lower average price than was paid in 1996, US$2.94.
Contracted growers fared better than did those who sold at auction. The former were paid US$603.9 million for delivering 204.5 million kg of tobacco, for an average price of US$2.95 per kg.
The latter, meanwhile, were paid US$97.0 million for delivering 35.3 million kg, for an average price of US$2.75 per kg, which means that they were paid 6.5 percent less for their tobacco than was the average grower of 1996.
Time is a great stealer
