Malawi leader upbeat as tobacco sales open at good prices
The opening of this year's marketing season with good prices offers relief to growers after previous years of low prices and market rejection.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has expressed satisfaction with the opening of the 2024 tobacco marketing season, which he said started "on a satisfactory note with the leaf fetching reasonable prices right away", writes Winston Mwale.
In remarks on Monday, Chakwera noted the presence of new buyers in the market ready to purchase the crop.
The marketing season is themed "Safeguarding Our Economy: Uniting Against Illegal Tobacco Trade."
"Relevant government agencies have already been put on alert to curb the vice through close monitoring of activities along the value chain and enforcement of all legal and regulatory frameworks including the new Tobacco Industry Act," the president said.
Chakwera emphasized that the tobacco industry, being the economy's mainstay, "will continue being a focal point of our development agenda in line with the Malawi Vision 2063."
"It is, therefore, my expectation that our farmers will adhere to all market guidelines to attract good prices from buyers," he added.
Tobacco accounts for over 60% of Malawi's foreign exchange earnings.
The opening of this year's marketing season with good prices offers relief to growers after previous years of low prices and market rejection.