Growers and visitors to the Georgia Tobacco Markets were disappointed with low bids for much of the tobacco presented for sale on the first day of the 2000 marketing season. Warehouses offered to purchase large amounts of the tobacco and many of the offered prices were declined as growers decided to hold the tobacco for later sales. Much of the tobacco on the floors graded X and appearred to be tobacco for which buyers were not yet prepared to offer the bids for which growers were looking.

Drought conditions damaged and reduced the primings which would ordinarily have graded P and have been offered for sale on opening day. Large numbers of bales were presented with some sheets offered as well.

Most of the Georgia production area has had afternoon showers which continue to sustain this otherwise drought produced crop. Much of the crop which received showers in mid June and then dried off afterwards has taken a second growth and is green and leaves are continuing to size up and grow heavier. Although some growers are beginning their final harvest from their fields, much tobacco remains in the field and it appears the production estimates may be better than earlier predicted.

The daily sales schedule for the 2000 Georgia - Florida Markets can be found at the following URL. http://www.griffin.peachnet.edu/caes/tobacco/

Following is the report of the USDA Market News Service for opening day.

VALDOSTA, GA USDA FEDERAL-STATE GEORGIA-FLORIDA FLUE-CURED TOBACCO, TYPE 14 Market News Web Page Raleigh, NC 27608 http://www.ams.usda.gov/marketnews.htm (919) 856-4550
DAILY SUMMARY FOR AUGUST 1, 2000 No. 1

The Georgia-Florida flue-cured tobacco marketing season began Tuesday, with grade bid averages steady to slightly higher when compared with last year's opening day levels. Primings, which made up the bulk of sales, were unchanged to $3 higher, and sold between $151 and $157 per hundred. The few losses that were recorded were centered mostly on the lighter volume lug and nondescript offerings. A sizable amount of sales were rejected by producers or purchased by the warehouse in order to keep from being placed into the loan program.

Volume was light at most upper Georgia markets, while the other selling points ranged from moderate to heavy. Primings (P) dominated sales at 83 percent, followed by lugs (X) at 13, and nondescript (N) 4 percent. Overall quality improved from last year's initial sales, as good and better tobacco rose 14 percentage points to 30 percent of all auctions. Fair quality offerings declined to 54 percent. On opening day last season, 1.8 million gross pounds sold for an average price of $149.63 per hundred, with 1.6 percent of sales placed under loan.

Auction bid averages at noon, on heavy volume grades, and comparisons to last year's final bids on opening day follow: ($$ per cwt.)

U.S. Auction Change From The First
Grade Bid Day Last Season

X3L $160 No-Data

P3L $156 Unchanged

P4L $150 Up $3

P3F $157 Up $3

P4F $151 Up $2

P5F $137 Unchanged

McCarty 1400e dgm

Questions? Contact: USDA AMS TOBACCO MARKET NEWS 1306 Annapolis Drive

Market News Web Page Raleigh, NC 27608

http://www.ams.usda.gov/marketnews.htm

(919) 856-4550

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