Andhra flue-cured auction prices soar

Flue-cured tobacco prices have been soaring at auctions underway in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, according to a story in the most recent issue of the BBM Bommidala Group newsletter.

Northern black soils tobaccos were said to have touched a new high of INR168 per kg at the Thorredu auction platform.

And Northern light soil tobacco peaked at INR176 per kg at the West Godavari platform.

Seventy days into the selling season, 81.08 million kg of tobacco had been sold for an average price of INR121 per kg.

Fifty-seven percent of the tobacco sold has comprised bright grades.

Meanwhile, the Tobacco Board of India is proposing to employ in the future a GPS (global positioning system) to monitor remotely the condition of crops and to help with early intervention in the fields.

The board is preparing also to webcast the proceedings at all of the Andhra and Karnataka auction platforms so as to provide  efficient monitoring.