Tobacco prices shock FUM, CISANET

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Tobacco

The Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) and Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) have expressed concern over the low prices tobacco buyers were offering on the first day of sales in Lilongwe.

Tamani Nkhono Mvula
Nkhono-Mvula: displeased

When the tobacco market opened yesterday, buyers were buying the leaf at a minimum price of 80 cents and a maximum price of $1.84 per Kg.

This has not pleased observers who had hoped for higher prices after President Peter Mutharika earlier told the buyers to offer fair prices.

National Director for CISANET Tamani Nkhono-Mvula said it is not pleasing to see that farmers are not enjoying the fruits of their sweat.

”We are not satisfied because we know that farmers put in much effort to bring a leaf of good quality worth good prices,” said Nkhono-Mvula.

He added that there is need for authorities to quickly act on the issue so that farmers receive what they deserve.

“If the price of the tobacco is less than $2 per Kg we are not comfortable as we expect prices to be much better,” said Nkhono-Mvula.

FUM has also voiced concern over the low prices, saying the situation will make lives of farmers unbearable.

“These poor prices coupled with the appreciation of the Kwacha will diminish projected earnings of the farmers,” said FUM president Alfred Kapichira.

However, chief executive officer of Tobacco Control Commission Albert Changaya rated the opening day as average since there were few rejections due to quality of the leaf.

 

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18 Comments

  1. Next week 20th April when tobacco sales officially opens at Mzuzu Auction Floors;i would like to ask Tcc to give us a full information about the average prices/kg in Us dollars!

  2. Next week 20th April when tobacco sales officially opens at Mzuzu Auction Floors;i would like to ask Tcc to give us a full information about the average prices/kg in Us dollars!

  3. yake ija malawi government yogwesa kwacha during harvesting time after closing action kwacha kungovairatu,zimatikwana kulima ndi ntchito yopweteka completely poor governor.

  4. yake ija malawi government yogwesa kwacha during harvesting time after closing action kwacha kungovairatu,zimatikwana kulima ndi ntchito yopweteka completely poor governor.

  5. yake ija malawi government yogwesa kwacha during harvesting time after closing action kwacha kungovairatu,zimatikwana kulima ndi ntchito yopweteka completely poor governor.

  6. What was the average price /kg because you only say the prices were very low?We want to know the exact price.Plz stop hiding things,try to make it clear otherwise don’t tell us!

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