Rates for the best-quality leaf have fallen from Rs 270 to Rs 230 per kg
Rates for the best-quality leaf have fallen from Rs 270 to Rs 230 per kg, according to a section of growers. S Ramakrishnan, the principal scientist and head of ICAR-Central Tobacco Research Institute, Hunsur, said Karnataka’s production quota was 56 million kg, but actual output was around 90 million kg. The best-quality flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco fetched a high of Rs 367 per kg in 2024-25. Currently, L1 and L2 grades fetch Rs 270 per kg, while medium-quality tobacco sells at Rs 266 and the lowest grade at Rs 200 per kg, Ramakrishnan said.
KPCC spokesperson M Lakshmana, who visited the Periyapatna tobacco market Tuesday, alleged that lower-grade tobacco from Andhra Pradesh was fetching Rs 300 per kg, while Karnataka growers were being denied fair prices due to the monopoly of a few companies. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mysuru | Silver Rate in Mysuru | Bank Holidays in Mysuru | Public Holidays in Mysuru Stay updated with the latest Mysuru news.
Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha state president Badagalapura Nagendra and district president Hosur Kumar, a tobacco grower, said prices had been declining steadily, as in previous years. Neither the state nor the central govt had drawn up an action plan to address their concerns, he said. Mysuru : Tobacco farmers in Karnataka are worried as prices have begun declining within days of the season opening. Nagendra alleged that the state govt was failing to support tobacco farmers, forcing them to consider alternative crops. Download the TOI App.
Prices are expected to stabilise over the next 20 days once the Andhra Pradesh market closes, he added.