Tobacco auction opening awaits government

The opening of the country’s tobacco marketing season awaits the governments nod, although the tobacco regulating body has tentative dates for the event.

Tobacco auction sales normally start in March, but last year opened in April following pro-longed dry spells that delayed the maturing of leaf in most parts of the country.

Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) chief executive officer, Albert Changaya, said in an interview yesterday that the commission has already written the government proposing dates for the opening of the market and was just waiting for a response from Capital Hill

He said TCC has already started calling for tobacco deliveries to the country’s auction floors with tentative plans to start auction on April 4.

“When we start calling for tobacco deliveries, it means we have a week or two to open the market. But at the moment, I cannot be specific but it will be within the month of April,” said Changaya.