A quantity of 109.37 million kg (mkg) of tobacco has been sold till now on the 19 auction floors of Andhra Pradesh at an average price of Rs 122.25 against Rs 98.67 a kg realised during the last season at the same time, according to the Tobacco Board sources here.

The highest prices were as usual realised on the five auction floors in the northern light soils of West Godavari – two floors in Jangareddi gudem, Koyyalagudem, Gopalapuram and Devarapalli.

A quantity of 36.22 mkg of tobacco has been sold so far at an average price of Rs 148.65 ( Rs 115.25).

Tobacco grown on the five floors is always in demand and the farmers get the best prices in the State on a regular basis.

However, the farmers in East Godavari district (Torredu auction floor near Rajahmundry) are an unhapply lot, as only 1.72 mkg has been sold so far at an average price of Rs 98.41 (Rs 83.34).

The farmers on the floor complained they are unable to recoup the cost of cultivation at the present prices.

On the remaining floors in the southern light soils and southern black soils, the prices are decent.

In the southern black soils, 36.56 mkg has been sold at an average price of Rs 109.58 (Rs 85.16) and in the southern light soils 34.87 mkg has been sold at an average price of Rs 109.30 (Rs 92.36).

Electronic auctions have been introduced this season in Andhra Pradesh and the Board officials claim that it has helped in securing better prices for the farmer.

The actual production in the State is estimated at 167 mkg against the crop size of 170 mkg fixed by the Board.

There is no excess production in the State and that has also helped the prices on the floors, it is said.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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Published on June 24, 2013