Andhra tobacco prices up 24 percent

The average price paid for the first 129.28 million kg of flue-cured tobacco auctioned in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh this year, RS122.51 per kg, was more than 24 percent up on that of the average price earned at the same stage of the previous sales season, RS98.67 per kg, according to a story in the latest issue of the BBM Bommidala Group newsletter quoting figures from the Tobacco Board of India.

Andhra is believed to have produced about 167 million kg this year.

With 129.28 million kg sold, the top price for Andhra leaf stood at RS197.20, which was paid for northern light-soil tobacco.

Five auction platforms in the northern light-soil tobacco had accounted also for the highest average price, RS150.41 per kg.