Tag Archives: Tobacco Control Commission (TCC)

Agriculture, Malawi

Malawi’s 2018 tobacco market closes; fetches US$336 million

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) says this year’s  green gold marketing season has been a success with the country realizing enough forex compared to 2017.

The commission’s final crop estimates show the tobacco increase in volume by 19% increase over 2nd round to the total estimate of 176.5 million Kg against buyers demand of 171 kgs.

TCC says the marketing season had more volume of tobacco when compared to 2017 which was under-produced by 45%

Therefore by close of marketing season with Mzuzu flours on Friday, the country realised about US$336 million against US$212 million of 2017.

The commission therefore disclosed that buyers maintain the requirement of 171.3 million kg of tobacco for 2018/2019 growing season.

Addressing Media Network on Tobacco (MNT) on Wednesday, in the capital Lilongwe, TCC Chief Executive Officer, Kayisi Sadala expressed gratitude over 2018 marketing season saying it did not much disruptions.

Sadala attributed market successes to collaboration and collective actions by the Industry spearheaded by the Commission.

Despite good marketing season, he said there were a number of challenges including influx of tobacco from illegal cross border trade, skewed industry estimates that compromised the plan for the selling season.

“There were disagreements between some farmers and tobacco buying companies bordering on contractual agreements and slowed down purchase towards the end of the market due to inadequate storage facilities. But these challenges were sorted out before getting out of hands,”says  Sadala.

On behalf of MNT President, Arnold Mnelemba lauded the commission for good relationship demonstrated with the media.

Mnelemba  however asked TCC to initiate more trainings that empowers the media positive reporting on tobacco.

Tobacco remains the country’s forex earner towards the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) towards national financial year plan.

However, the country’s final consolidated figures for 2017 tobacco earnings pegged at US$212 million

This is the summing gross collection statistics released by regulatory body, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) saying the earnings surpass last year’s by 23 percent.

In 2016, a total of 194 million kilograms of tobacco was sold at an average of US$1.42 per kg in which the country realized US$275 million.

This was a drop from US$362 million of 168 million kg of tobacco sold in 2015 whilst this year 107 million kilograms went through the auction. This represents a 45 percent increase in terms of volumes sold.

According TCC the average price for this year was US$1.99 which was better as compared to last year’s US$1.41 per kilogram.

The commission said from the US$212 million, flue cured tobacco contributed US$61 million, 19 percent up against last year’s US$45 million.

 

Agriculture, Malawi, Top News

Crop diversification is possible amid anti-tobacco campaign

Lloyd M’bwana

MCHINJI-(MaraviPost)-Crop diversification is said to be leeway for Malawi amid heavy anti-tobacco campaign.

With crop diversification tobacco farmers are assured of less risks if prolonged dry spell and anti-the green gold campaign rage on.

This is the reason, one of the commercial tobacco firms; Gala Agriculture Limited intends venturing into Macadamia cropping in awake of dwindling of tobacco farming.

With 15 estates of each hector costing US$7,500 to produce about 3.3 million kilograms (15 estates) the remains skeptical on what future tobacco holds.

During the Media Network on Tobacco (MNT)’ tour in which Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) conducted on Friday, Gala Manager Ali Mulingo confessed that the green gold future remains uncertain hence the need to venture into others crops.

Mulingo predicts that with heavy ant-tobacco campaign if other farming alternative, some tenants of 3000 the company employs might lose their jobs.

The manager says the company is also on intensive tree planting exercise that each year ten hectors of land is covered with trees while promoting natural regeneration.

He therefore disputes any claims of child labour in the company saying any worker who engages children in their work are automatically fired.

“We are now into crop diversification looking at the state tobacco industry is showing. We want to sustain our tenants for a living. Currently, we are investing heavily on Macadamia which promises to give us productive business”, assures Mulingo.

Alfred Chauwa, MTN President lauded TCC for the tour saying it helped to exposed the media to understand better intensive commercial tobacco farming.

Chauwa assured the nation of total support towards the industry while it ventures into crop diversification with objective reporting.

TCC Principal Classifier Cecelia Kachifumbu said it was the mandate of the commission to expose the media to the industries that help them report effectively.

Kachifumbu therefore assured the entire media fraternity in the country for proper information on the tobacco industry.

During the trip, the media interacted with farmers, tenants on how tobacco is produced from the nursery till grading in readiness for the marketing season.

Early February, this year, TCC disclosed that the first round of crop [tobacco] assessment has been reduced to 12.8 percent below trade requirement.

This is against tobacco buyers’ need of 171 million kilogram for 2018 marketing season for the all kinds of tobacco.

The reduction has been necessitated by the prolonged dry spells affecting some districts in the southern and central region.

Figures from commission show that 42,303 farmers had registered to grow the leaf for 2017/2018 against 45,000 growers in 2016/2017 marketing season with a total registered quota of 169,785,243 million kilogrammes.

The registered quota is still lower than the 2018 buyer demand of 171 million kilogrammes.

Tobacco remains the country’s forex earner towards the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) towards national financial year plan.

However, the country’s final consolidated figures for 2017 tobacco earnings pegged at US$212 million

This is the summing gross collection statistics released by regulatory body, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) saying the earnings surpass last year’s by 23 percent.

In 2016, a total of 194 million kilograms of tobacco was sold at an average of US$1.42 per kg in which the country realized US275 million.

This was a drop from US$362 million of 168 million kg of tobacco sold in 2015 whilst this year 107 million kilograms went through the auction. This represents a 45 percent increase in terms of volumes sold.

According TCC the average price for this year was US$1.99 which was better as compared to last year’s US$1.41 per kilogram.

The commission said from the US$212 million, flue cured tobacco contributed US$61 million, 19 percent up against last year’s US$45 million.

Burley tobacco fetched US$144 million from 81 million kilograms as compared to last year’s earnings of US$226 million from a total volume of 175 million kilograms.

This year’s tobacco marketing season is expected to be opened the second week April.

Agriculture, Business, Malawi, Top News

Malawi’s preliminary tobacco estimates reduced by 12.8%; markets open end March- TCC

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) says the first round of crop [tobacco] assessment has been reduced by 12.8 percent below trade requirement.

This is against tobacco buyers’ need of 171 million kilogram for 2018 marketing season for the all kinds of tobacco.

The reduction has been necessitated by the prolonged dry spells affecting some districts in the southern and central region.

But the commission is opportunistic that product might increase following resumption of rainfall pouring across the nation.

Addressing Media Network on Tobacco (MNT) on Wednesday in the capital Lilongwe, TCC Chief Executive Officer, Kaisi Sadala disclosed that the green gold production currently was promising for higher production.

Sadala added that it was the wish of the commission for farmers to meet this year’s volume demand from buyers.

The TCC Chief reveals that the commission will undertake the second round estimates in weeks to come which will assist in determining the opening dates for the the market.

He therefore lauded the media tobacco body for working closely with the commission in providing correct information to public about the crop.

“Despite the first round of crop estimates showing low tobacco product, we expect the second estimates will have increase in production as most parts of the country are currently enjoying good rains.

“We are also impressed with farmers abiding to quota system tobacco requirement. This will help to reduce over production that affects the prices,” lauded Sadala.

MNT President Alfred Chauwa assured the commission of the network members total support in advancing tobacco industry agendas.

Chauwa however called upon TCC to promote value addition on tobacco and good regulatory standards by encouraging local processing for job opportunities.

“TCC should promote also the use of live barn locally known as Chigafa Chamoyo to address further deforestation and adopting new technologies of curing tobacco,” urges Chauwa

Figures from TCC show that 42,303 farmers had registered to grow the leaf for 2017/2018 against 45,000 growers in 2016/2017 marketing season with a total registered quota of 169,785,243 million kilogrammes.

The registered quota is still lower than the 2018 buyer demand of 171 million kilogrammes.

Tobacco remains the country’s forex earner towards the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) towards national financial year plan.

However, the country’s final consolidated figures for 2017 tobacco earnings pegged at US$212 million

This is the summing gross collection statistics released by regulatory body, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) saying the earnings surpass last year’s by 23 percent.

In 2016, a total of 194 million kilograms of tobacco was sold at an average of US$1.42 per kg in which the country realized US275 million.

This was a drop from US$362 million of 168 million kg of tobacco sold in 2015 whilst this year 107 million kilograms went through the auction. This represents a 45 percent increase in terms of volumes sold.

According TCC the average price for this year was US$1.99 which was better as compared to last year’s US$1.41 per kilogram.

The commission said from the US$212 million, flue cured tobacco contributed US$61 million, 19 percent up against last year’s US$45 million.

Burley tobacco fetched US$144 million from 81 million kilograms as compared to last year’s earnings of US$226 million from a total volume of 175 million kilograms

Business, Malawi

Malawi’s 2018 Tobacco estimates expected end January- TCC

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) says results of the first round of crop [tobacco] assessment will be ready by end of January.

Stakeholders met last Tuesday to map the approach to the crop assessment expected to commence this week.
Figures from TCC show that 41,784 farmers had registered to grow the leaf as of early December, with a total registered quota of 162 million kilogrammes.

The figure is likely to rise as, at the time of registration, the commission had run out of farmers’ registration cards, which are now being cleared in some parts of the Southern Region.

The registered quota is still lower than the 2018 buyer demand of 171 million kilogrammes.

TCC Chief Executive Officer, Kaisi Sadala, said there would, however, not be much change on the quality of the estimated tobacco to be produced this year.

“The expectation is that, by the end of this month, we should have the results. We are sure that what we licensed is in line with the international demand such that we should be able to control the market trends,” Sadala said.

Sadala however warned that farmers who are growing the leaf but did not register with the commission may find it difficult to sell their crop through the action floors.

Earlier, some stakeholders said the output this year may not be satisfactory, if the dry spell that has hit some tobacco growing regions may persist.

“It is a matter of concern but we are hopeful and we keep praying that the rains will resume this week. We are getting reports that, in some areas, the crop has started to wither,” Sadala said.

Tobacco Association of Malawi Chief Executive Officer, Matthews Zulu however said the association is also assessing the situation “to give a true reflection on the ground.”

While expressing optimism that the rainfall pattern may improve in the shortest time possible, Zulu said the current situation paints a gloomy picture of the output this season.

Tobacco remains the country’s forex earner towards the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) towards national financial year plan.

However, the country’s final consolidated figures for 2017 tobacco earnings pegged at US$212 million

This is the summing gross collection statistics released by regulatory body, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) saying the earnings surpass last year’s by 23 percent.

In 2016, a total of 194 million kilograms of tobacco was sold at an average of US$1.42 per kg in which the country realized US275 million.

This was a drop from US$362 million of 168 million kg of tobacco sold in 2015 whilst this year 107 million kilograms went through the auction. This represents a 45 percent increase in terms of volumes sold.

According TCC the average price for this year was US$1.99 which was better as compared to last year’s US$1.41 per kilogram.

The commission said from the US$212 million, flue cured tobacco contributed $61 million, 19 percent up against last year’s US$45 million.

Burley tobacco fetched US$144 million from 81 million kilograms as compared to last year’s earnings of $226 million from a total volume of 175 million kilograms.

Business

Malawi 2017 tobacco earnings soar by 23%; fetch US$212

Lloyd M’bwana
Malawi Tobacco
File Photo: Tobacco: Malawi’s forex earner

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s final consolidated figures for this year’s tobacco earnings have been pegged at US$212 million, it has been learnt. This is the summing gross collection statistics released by regulatory body, Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) saying the earnings surpass last year’s by 23 percent.

In 2016, a total of 194 million kilograms of tobacco was sold at an average of US$1.42 per kg in which the country realized US275 million.

This was a drop from US$362 million of 168 million kg of tobacco sold in 2015 whilst this year 107 million kilograms went through the auction. This represents a 45 percent increase in terms of volumes sold. Continue reading Malawi 2017 tobacco earnings soar by 23%; fetch US$212 →

Business

Tobacco’ earnings up by 38%: country realizes US$125 million in ten weeks

MaraviPost
Malawi Tobacco
File Photo: Tobacco: Malawi’s forex earner

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi accrued US$125 million in in tobacco sells in the past ten weeks since tobacco marketing season officially opened on April 10, this year.

This is the latest statistics obtained from the Tobacco Control Commission (TCC), which shows the market earned 38 percent more than what was sold during the same time in 2016.

TTC disclosed that 65.1 million kilograms of the green gold have gone through the auction floors, against 61 million kilograms recorded last year. This represents a seven percent increase. Continue reading Tobacco’ earnings up by 38%: country realizes US$125 million in ten weeks →

Business

TCC calls for crop diversification amid anti-tobacco campaign

Maravi Post correspondent
Malawian farmer working in her tobacco farm

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)– The Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) on Wednesday, urged tobacco farmers in the country to incorporate other cash crops for sustainability of their income, amid the green gold’s daunting marketing.

The call comes following the World Health Organization (WHO)’s anti-tobacco campaign which is threatening the crop’s marketing power in most developing nations, including Malawi.

The WHO is using the Framework Convention on Tobacco (WHO FCTC), the world’s most powerful tool to tackle tobacco’s negative impact on development. Continue reading TCC calls for crop diversification amid anti-tobacco campaign →

Business

Tobacco farmers smile at Limbe floors: prices ranges from 80 cents to US$2.20, rejection rates at 1.8 per cent

Henry Chizimba
Tobacco farmers at Limbe Auction Floors are happy with tobacco prices 

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Tobacco farmers are said to be happy with the recently opened green-gold sales at Limbe Auction Floors in Blantyre ; this is because of the good prices offered, and low rejection rates.

This comes one day after the auction floors opened on Tuesday; it is on the heels of the Lilongwe and Chinkhoma auction floors, which started this year’s marketing season a week ago.

Sale sheets which The Maravi Post sourced from farmers, show that prices range from 80 cents (MK586) per kilongram (kg) to US$2.20 (MK1, 612.06) per kg.

These prices are different compared with those offered last year’s opening day. Last year the tobacco was pegged between 80 cents and US$1.40 (MK1, 026.02).

The rejection rate this year has started on 1.8 percent, while in 2016 during the same time, it was at 52 percent. Therefore, tobacco sales have started on the high level, with the expectation that farmers will keep on smiling all the way to the end of the season.

Farmer Patrick Mwalabu, who hails from Phalombe, expressed happiness over the prices offered at the floors, and said he hopes this year will fetch more money than last year to meet his family’s needs, and pay back inputs loans.

The current state of prices offered and low rejection rate, also greatly pleased both the Tobacco Control Commission (TCC), and Auction Holdings Ltd. Group (AHL).

They attributed the better prices and low rejection rates, to proper handing and presentation of the leaf, before reaching the floors.  They said all farmers must emulate this great start to the tobacco season.

In 2016, a total of 194 million kgs of tobacco was sold at an average of US$1.42 per kg, in which the country realized US275 million. This was a drop from US$362 million of 168 million kg of tobacco that was sold in 2015.