Tobacco auctions began on a modest note at the seven auction platforms in Prakasam and Nellore districts raising hopes among farmers of getting a better average price for their produce at least during 2021-22 cropping season as COVID-induced economic crisis seemed to abate.
As the bright grade crop earned a premium price of more than ₹200 per kg in Mysuru in Karnataka during the auctions this year, the farmers coming under the southern light soil (SLS) and the southern bright soil (SBS) auction platforms in the two districts hoped for a similar price. However, the bright grade varieties fetched a premium price of ₹180 to ₹185 per kg. The growers in the southern black soil region marketed over 90,000 kg on Wednesday as eight players entered the market.
The farmers had a tough time marketing their produce in the last two years due to subdued demand for the commercial crop in the wake of economic uncertainties caused due to COVID-19 pandemic. But it is no longer so.
