• March 29, 2024

Concern over Malawi leaf prices

 Concern over Malawi leaf prices

Malawi’s tobacco growers have been advised not to rush into selling their leaf, according to a Malawi News Agency story.

They have been told instead to wait until the government announces minimum buying prices so that they can obtain the maximum return from their investment.

The Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Dr. Allan Chiyembekeza, issued his advice in parliament on Tuesday during a question and answer session at which he expressed the fear that growers ran the risk of being exploited if they sold their tobacco on an informal market.

He had been asked what kind of protection the government was offering to growers who were already selling their tobacco to traders and vendors paying very low prices.

“As far as I am concerned, my ministry has not yet released the minimum prices for tobacco as we are still consulting with the tobacco farmers and buyers,” the minister was quoted as saying.

“In an appropriate time that information will be made available.”

Chiyembekeza said it was “unfortunate” that growers were already selling their tobacco and “worrying” that they were being paid less than if they had waited.

But he appeared to concede that some growers had little choice.

“I know they are hurrying because they want to make money for their households, but I would advise them to wait for our communication so that they get what they deserve on the market,” he said.

The story did not give any reason why minimum prices had not been declared even after the tobacco was ready for market.