Tobacco sales have declined by 17 percent in value to $214.15 million in the first nine weeks of the 2025 marketing season compared to $258.20 million recorded in the same period last year.
Figures from the Tobacco Commission show that 86.50 million kilograms (kg) of tobacco were sold by week nine of 2025, representing a 4 percent decline from the 89.86 million kilograms sold during the comparable period in 2024.
The average price per kg has dropped significantly from $2.87 in 2024 to $2.48 in 2025, reflecting a 14 percent decrease that has contributed to the overall value decline.
The performance varies significantly across tobacco types, with burley tobacco showing resilience while flue-cured and other varieties have experienced notable declines.
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For example, Burley tobacco maintained relatively stable volumes with 80.28 million kilograms sold in 2025 compared to 80.39 million kilograms in 2024, though its value dropped from $226.21 million to $195.06 million.
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Tobacco Association of Malawi Trust Vice President Rhodes Sulumba farmers remained disappointed due to low prices the leaf is fetching.
He was, however, upbeat that the overall earning would beat last year’s.
TC spokesperson Telephorus Chigwenembe attributed the performance to seasonal patterns.
“In the first few weeks of the selling season, sales were relatively slow. However, in recent weeks, volumes have picked. Burley tobacco volumes are now at par with last year’s at the same time of the selling season,” Chigwenembe said.
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The tobacco sector remains critical to Malawi’s economy, with the crop serving as a major foreign exchange earner despite the current price pressures affecting farmer incomes and overall sector revenues.
