The demand of the tobacco companies for the purchase of all four varieties of tobacco crop registered a big decline. According to sources in Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), the demand for Flue Cured Virginia for the year is estimated at 45.990 million kilogram while demand for Dark Air Cured tobacco is 0.800 million kilogram, white Patta 0.371 million kilogram and Burley at 0.010 million kilogram.
For the information of the tobacco growers Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) has published the details of the demands of all 44 tobacco companies. Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC), the largest tobacco company will purchase more than 50% of the crop with total demand of 24.800 million kilograms by followed by Phillip Morris (Pak) Limited demand of 8.870 million kilogram.
The Tobacco Board has clarified that the demand of Flue Cured Virginia, Dark Aired Cured, White Patta and Burley for the year 2017 has been declined by 10.6%, 45.2%, 62.4% and 93.8% respectively for the next year.
The growers have been directed to signing agreements with the companies of their choice and grow the crop in proportion to the demand of the tobacco companies for the year 2017 and prevent facing hardships at the time of sale.
The board has also warned about action against the violation of law during the tobacco sale season and taking of preventive action in this regard. The growers have been asked to avoid tobacco cultivation without sale agreement with companies and uncertified varieties. Otherwise, the tobacco growers themselves will be responsible for their loss.