LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 officially opened the 2025 Tobacco Marketing Season at Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) Premises at Kanengo in the Capital Lilongwe.
Accompanied by First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera, the President was welcomed on arrival by Minister of Agriculture Sam Dalitso Kawale and several other top government officials including officials from AHL PLC.
Speaking to the media soon after witnessing auction sales, Chakwera expressed hope that this year’s Tobacco will be a success.
The opening of the market offers a flicker of hope to the country, as expectations are high that the market will assist in easing shortages of foreign exchange currency thereby facilitating the importation of strategic commodities such as fuel.
On the other hand, tobacco farmers are also expected to enjoy relatively favorable prices, as a reward for their hard work, as 11 tobacco buying companies have lined up ready to compete for the leaf.
Among the 11 is a new company – East Bridge. Nyasa Manufacturing Company, Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company, JTI, Alliance One, Hail and Cotton, Premium Tobacco Malawi Limited, African Tobacco Services, Associated Central African Limited, and Watergen are also set to buy the leaf this season
There has been a transformation of the market since President Chakwera took over the reigns of power in the year 2020.
Unlike the previous regimes, the Chakwera led administration has introduced changes in the pricing of Tobacco, resulting in improved rates.
The first round of tobacco estimates survey projected production of 174 million kilogrammes of the crop.
Last year, 133 million kilogrammes of tobacco was sold.