THE 2020 tobacco marketing season opening has been pushed to Wednesday after it had officially been slated for April 22, Zim Morning Post has learnt.
The deferment was necessitated by the need to align the new regulations and standard operating procedure adopted by the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) to curb the spread of the novel corona virus.
TIMB boss Andrew Matibiri made the announcement over the weekend and noted that there is no total decentralisation of auction floors ,with Harare remaining the nucleus of operations albeit under strict regulations to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“Contract tobacco sales will start on Thursday April 30 while sales bookings and deliveries will open on Monday April 27, 2020,” he said.
“Some contractors had already decentralised auction floors and will operate from there while others were geared for Harare. These will operate in Harare under strict guidelines,” he added.
Under the new operating
regulations,no loitering will be allowed around the floors and only individuals offering essential services will be allowed access.
The access will be subject to screening by professional health experts approved by government.
Meanwhile , last season was marred by price wars and an influx of middlemen and cartels that fleeced farmers.
This year’s yield is expected to be slightly lower owing to a number of factors including diseases that attacked the crop and size of area put under tobacco.
The area declined by six percent from the 106 558 hectares planted during the 2018-19 season, according to reports.
