Malawi has earned more than US$184 million from tobacco sales after 11 weeks of the 2026 marketing season, with recent improvements in tobacco uptake offering hope to farmers despite earnings remaining below last year’s performance.
According to the latest Tobacco Commission (TC) report, the 2026 Tobacco Market Performance Report, released on Thursday, shows the country has sold 89.4 million kilograms of tobacco valued at US$184.4 million between April 20 and July 3, 2026. Growers received an average price of US$2.06 per kilogram during the period.
The figures are lower than those recorded over the same period in the 2025 marketing season, when Malawi sold 126.6 million kilograms of tobacco worth US$319.5 million at an average price of US$2.52 per kilogram.
The report also shows that auction tobacco uptake has increased to 42 percent, while contract tobacco uptake stands at 97.2 percent. The combined uptake rate is 93.1 percent.
According to the Commission, the improvement marks a significant recovery from the 90–98 percent rejection rates recorded during the initial weeks of the marketing season.
The Commission says the improved auction tobacco uptake reflects better leaf presentation by growers and increased buyer appetite during the ongoing marketing season.
The report covers the first 11 weeks of the 2026 tobacco marketing season, from April 20 to July 3, and provides an update on sales performance as trading continues.
