Tobacco Commission (TC) says it is positive the 2023 Tobacco Marketing Season set to open on April 12 at the Lilongwe Floors will be a good one in terms of prices and leaf quality.

Speaking to journalists in Lilongwe yesterday, TC chief executive officer Joseph Chidanti Malunga said 2 600 bales are already laid out for buyers.

Malunga: Generally the crop is good

He said they expect a leap from the 85 000 kilogrammes (kg) sold last year, owing to the good rains and the crop.

Said Malunga: “The actual volumes will be determined after the market has ended. But we are estimating 126 million kg. This is just an estimate, but it’s a huge leap from what it was last year.

“We also had a very good season this year in terms of rainfall, except for the fact that here and there some tobacco was affected by Cyclone Freddy, but generally the crop was good and the weather was good and we expect a leap.”

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He further hinted that the minimum prices may go up considering the rise in production costs this year.

On his part, Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) chief executive officer Alfred Nkhono said preparations for this year’s selling season are complete.

He said they are already receiving enough tobacco for Lilongwe and Limbe floors. On the other hand, he said they expect to start receiving tobacco at Chinkhoma in Kasungu and Mzuzu.

“ T h e To b a c c o Commission is estimating 126 million kg of tobacco and on our side, we are fully prepared to cover that because the law in the country requires that we only close the market when all the volume of tobacco is sold. So, we are ready to keep open until we are informed that there is no more tobacco coming,” Nkhono said.

Last year, the season opened on a lower note with $1.45 (about K1 500) per kg as the highest price and 95 cents as the lowest.

This year’s marketing season will open with 10 buyers, including a new one Hail & Cotton.

The next market to open will be Chinkhoma Auction Floors on Wednesday, April 13 to be followed by Limbe Auction Floors on the April 17 and Mzuzu Auction Floors on May 2.

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