Cotton sales have hit K3.5 billion five weeks after market opening in a season of mixed fortunes where Admarc has finally started buying while Malawi Cotton Company pulled out.
According to latest data from the Cotton Council of Malawi, over 2.8 million kilogrammes (kg) of cotton has been sold at a total consideration of K3.5 billion at an average price of K1 500 per kg.
In an interview, the council’s spokesperson Prisca Jamali confirmed the market statistics and said Admarc which delayed commencement of participation stated buying this week in a huge relief to farmers who were desperate to sell.
Jamali said: “The season is progressing well, so far 2 883 062 kg has been sold by Tuesday, June 23 2026 as Afrisian Limited, Illovo Sugar Malawi and Admarc Limited are the companies buying on the ground.
“Malawi Cotton Company and Masapa Cotton Ginners are not buying this season. We were only waiting for Admarc,” said Jamali who did not clarify the reasons why the two have pulled out.
Meanwhile, according to Jamali, the council has considered using manual system where farmers are being paid in cash unlike last season where the sector piloted the Cotton Management Information System (Cotmis).
“We have maintained the manual system, be assured that the electronic system will return next season,” Jamali said.
In a separate interview, Malawi Cotton Company field manager Yohane Jim confirmed that the Balaka-based traditional cotton buyers is not buying this year saying it was frustrated by two factors.
According to Jim, low production levels which the company projects this year mean it is not worth running their machines while also pointing out technical challenges that frustrated stakeholders last season.
“Production this year will be around 3 000 metric tonnes (MT) because out of the 26 000 farmers that grew cotton last season, only 7 000 have grown it this year hence for us to run our machines is not valuable.
“Again challenges that were observed last season were not resolved where the council’s Cotmis piloting resulted in buyers losing significant funds while accessing limited stocks,” Jim said.
Through the system, farmers were receiving their cotton sales proceeds electronically using bank accounts or mobile money through the Cotmis system managed by the council.
In a recent interview, Cotton Farmers Association chief executive officer Synoden Mbalafana acknowledged significant challenges facing the sector but was particularly concerned with delayed commencement of buyers to open markets.
Mbalafana who cited Admarc which delayed by a month, said farmers were affected as they were desperate to sell the cash crop to buy basic food which is affordable during harvesting period.
When opening this year’s cotton selling season on May 25 2026, the Cotton Council of Malawi estimated production at 22 million kg citing the coming of commercial farms like that of Illovo at its Nchalo estate.
Last season the country also projected to produce 22 000 million kilogrammes, but ended up producing about half of the target. Government set this year’s cotton farm gate price at K1 500 per kg and the season is expected to run for 90 days up to August 27 2026 in 50 designated markets.
