Malawi 2013 tobacco prices lower than 2012
Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) has indicated that total tobacco prices up to week 12 of this year’s marketing season are lower than last year’s average prices.
AHL tobacco sales statistics for 2013 season up to May 31 published in the press indicate that 81.71 million kg of tobacco were sold earning the country over $159.53 million and averaging $1.95 per kg.
However, AHL commentary notes that to date average tobacco prices are below last year’s.
“With equivalent volumes sold, 2012 had earned $178 million against $159 million of 2013 translating to better cumulative averages of 2012 thus far,” AHL has said.
Weekly burley average price moved up by $0.01 after staying constant for two weeks.
“Cumulative volumes sold at the end of week 12 grossed total volumes sold for the entire 2012 season pointing to good volumes for 2013 as prospected,” reads the AHL commentary in part.
AHL adds that cumulative average for all tobacco types is likely to rise from the current level of $1.95 per kg due to the increased inflow of high earning leaf styles particularly on flue cured and dark fired tobaccos.
The statistics indicate that week 12 sales proceeds hit $24.59 million. Specifically, burley raked in $17.81 million, flue cured $5.96 million, and dark fired raked in $0.82 million.
In the week ending May 31, a total of 10.8 million kg of tobacco were sold comprising 8.6 million kg of burley, 1.9 million kg of flue cured and 0.38 million kg of dark fired.
