Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) has projected requirement of flue-cured Virginia and dark air-cured tobacco crop for 2006 at 3.25 percent and 25 percent higher than the production or purchase of tobacco crop by companies during 2005 crop.
According to a press release issued here on Tuesday, the projected requirements of flue-cured Virginia type tobacco for year 2006 would be 67.920 million kilogram, dark air-cured 1.075 million kilogram, white patta 2.175 million kilogram and Burley 1.250 kilograms.
The projected requirements of white patta and Burley are lowered by 6.05 percent and 23.92 percent respectively.
The board has advised growers to plan production of the crop 2006 keeping in view the required purchase targets of tobacco industry. They have been further advised to execute agreements with the tobacco companies of their own choice so that no problem is encountered in its proper marketing at fair prices.
The tobacco companies will purchase tobacco according to their indicated requirements from agreement holders and not from 'Azad Growers'. Therefore, it urged the growers not to grow tobacco without proper agreements.-PR