Tobacco, the country’s green gold, has raked in US$271 million, US$60
million more than last year at the same tobacco markets, same time.

Same time last year, the tobacco market raked in US$205 million, which unprecedented forex the country desperately needs since
the tobacco markets opened 16 weeks ago.

The good sales are attributed to the good tobacco prices of around US$2.10 as
opposed to US$1.74 last year with the low tobacco hovering around 80 cents.

The market has also been peaceful unlike last year when the
auction floors were frequently closed due to disagreements over tobacco
prices between the growers and buyers.

The tobacco industry was shaken last week when JTI, a Japanese tobacco
buying firm abandoned hundreds of its farmers it contracted to grow tobacco.

Tobacco, facing a smoky future following anti-smoking lobbyists, still
remains the country’s foreign exchange earner.