Zim tobacco farmers cry foul, but experts say it’s too early to panic

(financialgazette.co.zw) Small scale tobacco farmers are up in arms against what they perceive to be a marked decline in the price of the golden leaf after the first bale sold for US$4,25 per kilogramme at the 2011 auction floors compared to US$4,29 per kilogramme achieved the previous year. The emerging farmers, the bulk of whom abandoned cotton production for the lucrative tobacco crop, had expected at least U$5 per kilogramme during the current season, which opened amid hype. Annual tobacco auctions in 2010 were notable for record prices, prompting farmers to abandon cotton and other crops for the lucrative golden leaf. ... Zimbabwe is known for its production of flavour flue cured tobacco that is sought-after by buyers. Continued