Farmers blank on leaf price as market opens – The Times Group

Prospering Growers Await Price Clarity as Market Opens for Trade

Post was last updated: April 15, 2026

Key Business Points

  • The 2026 tobacco selling season opens May 5 with growers still awaiting minimum price announcements
  • Quality control and avoidance of nesting practices emphasized as critical for better prices
  • Eight companies ready to purchase tobacco, with growers facing increased production costs

Farmers across Malawi are preparing for the opening of the 2026 tobacco selling season, but uncertainty remains over minimum prices that will govern transactions. The Tobacco Commission announced that markets will commence on Monday in Lilongwe, followed by Chinkhoma in Kasungu on Tuesday, with Limbe and Mzuzu floors opening later in the week.

Despite the clear timeline for market openings, the Ministry of Agriculture had not yet released the benchmark price as of publication. This delay has left growers uncertain about their potential earnings for the season.

The Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama) Farmers Trust reports farmers are ready and optimistic, but President Abiel Kalima Banda warns against nesting practices. "Farmers should ensure proper grading of their tobacco to achieve higher quality and better prices," he said. Nesting – concealing poor-quality leaf within better-grade tobacco – not only compromises overall market quality but can lead to rejected shipments.

Production costs have risen significantly, with growers facing higher expenses for fertiliser, chemicals, and labor. Kalima Banda has called on buying companies to offer fair and competitive prices that reflect these increases. Agriculture policy expert Leonard Chimwaza expressed hope that buyers would respond positively, noting, "We need to maintain a clean and credible market this year. Cases of nesting must be completely avoided if farmers are to benefit from better prices."

During the 2025 season, Malawi earned approximately $530 million after selling 212 million kilogrammes at an average price of $2.49 per kg. However, the season was extended due to production cost increases. The 2026 season faces similar challenges, with stakeholders emphasizing that improved quality standards and adherence to regulations will be crucial for maximizing returns.

Eight companies, including major international buyers like JTI and Alliance One, are prepared to purchase this season’s crop. For many rural Malawians, tobacco cultivation remains the primary source of income and foreign exchange earnings for the country.

While the government works to attract investment in alternative crops, tobacco continues to serve as an economic lifeline for countless farming households. The coming weeks will reveal whether growers’ optimism about prices translates into actual returns that can sustain their livelihoods in the face of rising costs.

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Vanessa Banda
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