Seed sales plunge in Zimbabwe

Tobacco seed sales in Zimbabwe have declined by 86 percent, reports The Herald quoting Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) figures. The reduction hints at a smaller crop next season

According to the TIMB, farmers have bought 7,750 grams equivalent to 1,292 hectares this season compared with 59,345 grams equivalent to 9,900 hectares that were sold by seed companies last year.

Last season by April 22, the Zimbabwe Tobacco Seed Association (ZTSA) had sold 5,680 grams while the Tobacco Research Board (TRB) sold 53,665 grams.

This season, ZTSA has sold 285 grams while TRB has sold 7,465 grams of the seed.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union director Paul Zakariya said the decline in seed sales could be a result of the low prices offered by buyers last season.

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union President Wonder Chabikwa said some farmers have realized they were not making profits in tobacco and made a business decision.

“Some farmers had rushed to tobacco because of the high prices that were offered by buyers,” he was quoted as saying. “Others later realized they were not making meaningful profits and as a result are returning back to their traditional crops.”