High demand for Malawi’s legumes
The AHL Commodity Exchange Limited (AHCX) says there is high demand for Malawi’s soya, groundnuts and sugar beans on the international market with buyers offering competitive prices on offer.
AHCX communications manager Thom Khanje said in an interview that there are a lot of open export opportunities in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya as well as in India and China.
He said in these countries, beans is fetching a maximum of K280 per kilogramme (kg), K320 per kg for groundnuts while sugar beans is fetching about K600 per kg.
“The buyers are many and they have no maximum tonnage. Prices being offered are competitive and in line with the best on the market. Farmers just have to ensure that their crops are dry and well graded,” Khanje said.
He explained that AHCX is currently receiving these crops and others from farmers in their warehouses.
“We have several standing off takers who are buying on the spot market. Any farmer or trader or groups with a minimum of 10 bags of these crops are welcome to bring their crops for trading at AHCX. We guarantee payment within 24 hours of trading,” said Khanje.
Agro-expert Tamani Nkhono-Mvula while blaming over-dependence on one market for the situation, said going forward, there is need to have local research institutions to explore viable ways that can help in terms of diversification of markets.
