Mysore: Even after continuous meetings and assurances, tobacco prices remained low in the district markets on Tuesday. The average price for high-quality FCV tobacco stood at Rs 285.7 per kg on Tuesday, compared to Rs 311.6 per kg in Dec 2025. Meanwhile, the highest rate was Rs 303 per kg on Tuesday, compared with Rs 320 in Dec 2025 and Rs 375 last season.Tobacco growers alleged that excess tobacco production in Andhra Pradesh and recent changes in the tax on sin products have resulted in the price crash. Meanwhile, the Tobacco Board has slashed the tobacco crop-size quota for the state from 100 million kg to 90 million kg for the 2026–27 season.According to Hosur Kumar, president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Mysuru district unit, the production cost per kg of FCV has crossed the Rs 200 mark, even with free labour. “The current price is not sustainable for the growers,” he said.“Even after repeated protests by the growers, there is no change in the prices. On Tuesday, there was a slight increase in the rate, which is very low compared to last season,” he said.Meanwhile, former member of the board Vikram Gowda said the board has slashed the state’s quota by 10 million kg. “Karnataka never touched its quota of 100 million kg until now. So, this is not a big issue. But the production of over 145 million kg of excess tobacco in Andhra Pradesh destabilises the tobacco market,” he said.“Generally, in Karnataka, 80 to 90 million kg of tobacco is produced every year. There is a provision to increase the quota by 10% of the target. But the biggest question now is when the growers will get good prices,” he said.A farmers’ leader warned that if the growers did not get good prices, it might result in a big crisis. “Local economy purely depends upon the price of tobacco. The board must be sensitive towards the demands of the farmers,” he added.
