The Tobacco Commission’s first round estimates are projecting a 21 percent increase in the production of the green gold in the 2024 season.
The projections are contained in a statement released by the Commission following completion of crop estimate surveys that were conducted from mid-January this year.
According to the report, 146 million Kilogrammes (kg) are expected to be produced, up from 120 million kg that were produced in 2023.
The commission is attributing the likely increase in hectorage to positive returns that were registered at the auction floors last year which as led to increased number of growers.
Chief Executive Officer for the commission Joseph Chidanti Malunga says he is looking forward to a better season.
“It is our hope that the recently experienced dry spell in some areas will not have a significant impact on tobacco production this year,” said Chidanti-Malunga.
The second round estimate survey, which informs the final projections of the expected volumes at the market, is set to commence next week.
