Tobacco Commission (TC) has said the extension of tobacco sales at Chinkhoma and Lilongwe floors will enable farmers to sell their remaining leaf.
In a statement, TC said sales at Chinkhoma in Kasungu will now close on August 22 while Lilongwe Floors has been extended to August 29.
Meanwhile, TC data show that Malawi has raked in $497.9 million (about K871.8 billion) out of 197.1 million kilogrammes (kg) of all types of tobacco sold at an average price of $2.54 (about K4 447) per kg.
TC spokesperson Telephorus Chigwenembe said the season has been smooth, with more leaf being sold.
In an interview on Saturday, Ministry of Agriculture deputy director of field crops Osborne Tsoka attributed the increase in output to improved weather conditions towards the end of the rainy season.
“At the time the teams were conducting the second round estimates survey, most parts of the country had dry spells and the crop was not looking like it will get to its potential,” he said.
Agricultural extension expert Leonard Chimwaza said there is need for crop estimates to be accurate to give a clear picture to economic planners, considering tobacco’s critical role in the economy.
Initial market demand or international trade requirement for this season was pegged at 213 million kg while the second round crop production estimate survey put the output at 174.4 million kg.
Limbe Floors was the first to close on August 8 while Mzuzu Floors are expected to close on August 29.
Last season, Malawi earned $396 million (about K693 billion) after selling 133 million kg of tobacco at an average price of $2.98 (about K5 217) per kg.
Tobacco still remains Malawi’s main export, contributing more than 50 percent to the country’s foreign exchange earnings and 13 percent to the country’s gross domestic product.
