Centre allows sale of excess FCV tobacco through auction platforms in Andhra Pradesh

The Government of India has permitted the sale of excess Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco produced by registered growers and unauthorised FCV tobacco grown by unregistered farmers through the Tobacco Board auction platforms in Andhra Pradesh for the 2025-26 crop season, providing relief to growers facing difficulties in marketing their produce.

Tobacco Board Chairman Chidipothu Yashwanth Kumar told The Hindu here on Friday that the decision would bring the remaining stocks into the regulated auction system and facilitate their orderly liquidation.

Against the authorised crop size of 142 million kg, estimated production during 2025-26 is around 236 million kg. As of September 24, a total of 111.64 million kg, or 47.30% of the estimated production, had been marketed over 148 auction days. The average price realised so far was ₹213.27 per kg, against ₹248.86 per kg during 2024-25.