All the tobacco produced in 2002 will be purchased till February 28, Agriculture Minister Dikme said. In his opinion the process is proceeding as scheduled. A total of 11,000 tons of Oriental tobacco have been purchased so far against a negotiated amount of 41,000 tons. Admitting to a slight slow-down in the tobacco buy-out campaign and lowered purchase prices, the minister called on the tobacco producers not to give in to speculations. At the end of last year concerns over the delay in the campaign kick-off, its pace and appraisal criteria prompted talks between Agriculture Minister Dikme, the parliamentary group of ruling coalition junior partner Movement for Rights and Freedoms, and the Executive Director of Bulgaria's tobacco monopoly Tobacco Holding. Some 30,000 tons were projected to be purchased in 2002, which is an increase over the 2001 harvest.

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