* Representing 89.4 million kilograms of tobacco between April and July with an improved auction tobacco uptake of 42%
By Alinafe Jonas, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Tobacco Commission has reported that Malawi has earned more than US$184 million — representing 89.4 million kilograms of tobacco between April and July with an improved auction tobacco uptake of 42%.
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In a report released on Thursday, the Commission states that improved auction tobacco uptake reflects better leaf presentation and increased buyer appetite in the ongoing marketing season.
“This is a major recovery from 90-98% rejection rates recorded in the initial weeks of the marketing season,” says the report.
Agriculture expert, Tamani Nkhono Mvula, described the progress in the tobacco sector as a normal trend indicating that the quality of the leaf going to the market has improved compared to the start of the marketing season.
“Farmers need to know that the behaviour of the market depends on the quality of tobacco offered; if the quality is high, the response from the buyers is going to be good,” he said.
He encouraged farmers to bring properly graded tobacco, well tied, which does not have foreign bodies saying this will assist farmers to pitch more.
Agriculture economist, Christopher Madimba Kang’oma, said US$184 million earned in the first 11 weeks is a crucial buffer that supports government programs keeping the foreign exchange flowing.
“The progress is keeping government programs flowing, like import of medicine, fertilizer as well as industrialize raw materials that require dollars as tobacco accounts for over 50% of total export activities,” he said.
Kang’oma appealed to the Tobacco Commission to work hand in hand with farmers to keep buyers’ confidence.
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