FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2002
2002 Tobacco Markets Opening Date Announced
(Columbia, SC)---The USDA recently announced the opening dates for the 2002 flue-cured tobacco marketing season. The South Carolina, border North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia opening date is July 23, 2002. The other NC markets and Virginia market will open on July 24, 2002.
Opening dates are determined annually for flue-cured tobacco sold at designated auction markets. Based on recommendations made by the Flue-Cured Tobacco Advisory Committee at a recent meeting in Raleigh, NC, USDA established opening dates for each marketing area to mark the beginning of the marketing season.
For more information, call Tommy Coleman, SC Department of Agriculture Tobacco Marketing Specialist, 843-665-5154. For current tobacco statistical information, call USDA Agriculture Statistics Service at 803-765-5333 or log on to http://www.nass.usda.gov/sc.