Malawi’s 2025 tobacco marketing season is underperforming compared to last year, with significant declines in earnings, volumes and average prices recorded in the opening eight weeks of sales.
Statistics from AHL Tobacco Sales Ltd shows the country has generated $178.4 million from selling 72.7 million kilogrammes (kg) of tobacco between April 9 and May 30.
This represents an 18 percent revenue drop from the $218.7 million earned during the corresponding period in 2024.
Total volumes also declined, falling from 76.9 million kg sold in the first eight weeks of 2024 to 72.7 million kg this year.
The overall average price has weakened to $2.45 per kg from $2.85 in 2024, reflecting broader market pressures affecting the country’s primary export commodity.
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Burley tobacco maintained its dominance, accounting for 68 million kg of total sales during the review period.
Flue-cured tobacco contributed 4.2 million kg while dark-fired tobacco sales exceeded 500,000kg.
Week eight alone, covering May 26 to May 30, recorded sales of 13.6 million kg across all tobacco types, generating $34.8 million at an improved average price of $2.56 per kg—slightly above the season average.
AHL statistics show that week eight prices reached $2.51 per kg for burley, $3.24 for flue-cured and $2.53 for dark-fired tobacco.
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Tama Farmers Trust Chief Executive Officer Nixon Lita acknowledged the challenging start but noted recent price improvements as farmers present higher-quality upper leaf tobacco.
“…however, farmers would appreciate if the number of bales sold per day is increased so that the turnaround period is reduced,” Lita said, highlighting operational bottlenecks affecting market efficiency.
The sluggish performance contrasts sharply with 2024’s successful season, which saw over 133 million kg of tobacco sold for nearly $400 million in proceeds across 16 weeks of trading.
