By Brenda Kayo:
Tobacco industry regulator, Tobacco Commission (TC), has set April 9 as the date for opening of the 2025 tobacco marketing season amid optimism for a better season among farmers.
A letter we have seen, signed by the TC acting Chief Executive Officer Evans Chilumpha, says Lilongwe Auction Floors will be the first to open.
Chinkhoma floors will open on April 11, to be followed by Limbe Auction Floors on April 14 and Mzuzu Auction Floors on April 28.
“The Tobacco Commission in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture has set 9th April as the date for commencement of 2025 tobacco market season,” reads the letter.
It said commencement of tobacco deliveries will be announced later.
TC Public Relations Officer Telephorus Chigwenembe said the commission expects a successful season with international demand pegged at 213 million kilogrammes (kg).
“The commission expects a successful tobacco marketing season because of high levels of interest from companies that would like to buy our tobacco this year,” Chigwenembe said.
Tama Farmers Trust, a tobacco growers’ representative body, said farmers are well-prepared to ensure a successful harvest.
Tama Farmers Trust President Abiel Kalima Banda has since cautioned farmers to avoid nesting, a practice that can compromise the quality of tobacco leaves.
“I urge farmers to avoid this practice. Farmers should ensure that they grade higher-quality yields and to receive better prices for their produce,” Banda said.
Agricultural policy expert Leonard Chimwaza said he expects that buyers will offer rewarding prices to farmers, considering the high cost of production.
“Farmers are cautioned against tobacco nesting and including non-tobacco related materials in their produce, which led to high rejection rates in the past. They need to showcase Malawi’s tobacco as the best, giving buyers a positive impression,” Chimwaza said.
Economist Greenson Nyirenda said although Malawi’s economy is heavily reliant on tobacco exports which are generating foreign earnings during tobacco season, it is still failing to meet the demands for imported goods.
“The country needs to diversify its export base and explore alternative sources of foreign exchange to meet the demand,” Nyirenda said.
Last year, Malawi earned $367.1 million after selling more than 123.4 million kg at an average price of $ 2.95 per kg.
The first crop estimate shows that Malawi will record a 31 percent jump in tobacco output to 174 million kg from 133 million kg in 2024.
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