The Tobacco Board of Zambia, TBZ says it will open the tobacco market when farmers finish the harvesting and preparations in most parts of the country.
TBZ Chief Executive Officer, Samson Muyembe, explained that it would be pointless for now to open the market when farmers are still preparing their crops.
Mr. Muyembe was responding to concerns from some farmers in Eastern Province, who observed that TBZ has delayed to announce the opening date for this year’s tobacco market.
He also urged farmers to concentrate on grading and bailing their tobacco and not worry about which companies will be buying the crop this year.
Eastern Foodya Association of Zambia, EFAZ president, Franklin Mwale, observed that by now, farmers should have known when the tobacco market will open.
He explained that this is important as it would help the farmers in their preparations
Mr. Mwale says that it is not good that up to now, the famers are not aware of the opening date, buyers or prices.
He wondered why the market in Zambia always delays to open compared to other tobacco growing countries such as Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Mr. Mwale says while farmers in Zambia are still in the dark, the tobacco market opened on March 30 in Zimbabwe, while in Malawi, it has opened today.