The Tobacco Board of Zambia (TBZ) has given licensed tobacco buyers 24 hours to submit their price matrices or risk further regulatory action.
This follows non-compliance by the majority of buyers, with only four out of 16 licensed operators having submitted their matrices, despite an earlier agreement reached last Wednesday.
TBZ Executive Director Robert Mwale says the failure by 12 buyers to comply is unacceptable and is putting pressure on stakeholders across the tobacco value chain.
Mr. Mwale has stressed that the submission and approval of price matrices is a mandatory requirement before any tobacco purchasing can begin, warning that no buying should take place without clearance from the Board.
He further expressed concern that operations at the Tobacco Association of Zambia sales floor had already commenced without an approved price matrix, describing the move as regrettable and one that undermines the Board’s mandate to protect growers and ensure orderly marketing.
The Board has since directed all buyers who have started purchasing tobacco without approved price matrices to immediately halt operations until the necessary approvals are granted.
Mr. Mwale says TBZ is working to review all submissions, adding that only price matrices that reflect the cost of production will be approved to ensure farmers receive fair value for their crops while protecting buyers’ investments.
He has also directed that all approved price matrices must carry an official TBZ date stamp and be visibly displayed at all licensed sales floors across the country to promote transparency and compliance.
By Rachel Mumba
