Tobacco auctions close early in Karnataka

Tobacco auctions in Karnataka have concluded two months earlier than normal with Tobacco Board selling 87.61 million kgs (state's authorised crop size is 94.07 million kg). This year, farmers received 5.88 per cent (Rs 3.29 a kg) higher prices for their crop.

According to K N Vishakantaiah, regional manager, Tobacco Board, the board has fetched an average price of Rs 59.23 a kg against the last year's Rs 55.9.

Demand from foreign buyers saw a rise this year with 35-37 overseas firms taking part in the auctions compared with 30 companies last year.

Following are grade-wise prices, authorised quantity and quantity sold on different auction platforms.

HD Kote: Bright grades 2.42 million kg (average price of Rs 67.03 a kg), medium grades 3.49 million kg (Rs 60.06 a kg), low grades 1.54 million kg (Rs 44 a kg).

Hunsur I: Bright grades 2.68 million kg (Rs 67.37 a kg), medium grades 3.93 million kgs (Rs 63.14 a kg), low grades 2.77 million kg (Rs 46.61 a kg).

Hunsur II: Bright grades 2.18 million kgs (Rs 67.10 a kg), medium grades 4.12 million kgs (Rs 60.72 a kg), low grades 2.37 million kgs (Rs 44.51 a kg).

Periyapatna I: Bright grades 3.32 million kgs (Rs 67.18 a kg), medium grades 3.71 million kgs (Rs 62.68 a kg), low grades 2.88 million kgs (Rs 47.66 a kg). Periyapatna II: Bright grades 3.02 million kgs (Rs 67.58 a kg), medium grades 3.97 million kgs (Rs 64.20 a kg), low grades 2.50 million kgs (Rs 48.27 a kg).

Periyapatna III - Bright grades 2.53 million kgs (Rs 67.41 a kg), medium grades 4.05 million kgs (Rs 62.78 a kg), low grades 2.31 million kgs (Rs 47.55 a kg).

Kampalapura: Bright grades 3.10 million kgs (Rs 67.39 a kg), medium grades 3.45 million kgs (Rs 61.35 a kg), low grades 2.13 million kgs (Rs 43.82 a kg). Kampalapura I - Bright grades 2.60 million kgs (Rs 67.24 a kg), medium grades 2.82 million kgs (Rs 61.25 a kg), low grades 2.07 million kgs (Rs 44.59 a kg).

Ramanthpura: Bright grades 3.67 million kgs (Rs 67.51 a kg), medium grades 3.33 million kgs (Rs 61.08 a kg), low grades 2.66 million kgs (Rs 42.04 a kg).

Ramanthpura I - Bright grades 3.17 million kgs (Rs 67.36 per kg), medium grades 2.84 million kgs (Rs 58.71 per kg), low grades 1.85 million kgs (Rs 42.47 per kg).