The Tobacco Commission has extended the selling period for tobacco at the Chinkhoma and Lilongwe floors to allow farmers more time to clear their stock.
In a press release issued on Friday, the commission said the Chinkhoma floor, which was scheduled to close on August 15, will now run until August 22. The Lilongwe floor, initially set to close on August 20, will remain open until August 29.
protected by reCAPTCHA
The commission said the decision follows concerns from farmers who were struggling to sell their tobacco within the original timeframe.
“As of August 14, a total of 196.1 million kilogrammes of tobacco had been sold, valued at US$497.9 million at an average price of US$2.54 per kilogramme,” reads the statement.
It added that the Limbe floor closed on August 8, while the Mzuzu floor will close on August 29 as planned.
The commission said the extension aims to ensure farmers maximize their earnings and protect their livelihoods, a move expected to positively impact both the tobacco industry and the country’s economy.
