Virginia tobacco auctions have entered the last phase in Andhra Pradesh, with 100 million kg (mkg) being sold till date in the State at an average price of ₹117.86 a kg against 68.5 million kg sold by the same time last year at an average price of ₹106.82.

The authorised quantity in the State is 120 mkg and it is said that there may not be any substantial surplus.

Allowing for a surplus of 10 per cent or so, the actual output may be around 130 mkg and it is expected that the auctions may be completed in the State by the end of August.

Higher prices Auctions may come to an end on most of the floors by the end of the month or the first week of August but on the five floors of the West Godavari district (known as the northern light soils or NLS floors) the auction process may stretch up to the end of the month.

The tobacco on NLS floors fetches the highest price in the State.

On the five floors of the NLS, 25-26 mkg of tobacco has been sold so far and there may still be 17 mkg of tobacco left with the farmers.

The bright grade turnout has been more during the current season and the maximum price on the NLS floors went up to ₹155/kg and the average price is ₹142.

Pictorial warning Still, the farmers are unhappy this season saying that prices have suffered badly on the floors due to the Centre’s directive on pictorial warnings on cigarette packets.

They feel that the trade has used it as an excuse to depress the prices.

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