Latest figures from AHL show that the country raked in $160.2 million in week 16 of the tobacco market, which represents 17.5%.

Tobacco Commission (TC) Chief Executive Officer, Kaisi Sadala, attributed the decrease in both revenue and volume traded to Covid-19 pandemic and a decrease in output this season. While Limbe Auction Floors closed earlier, Lilongwe and Mzuzu markets would close on August 28, as tobacco sales may be lower according to total sales recorded thus far.

On the tobacco market, after observing that numerous proceeds are subtracted from tobacco growers’ earnings after selling, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Agnes Nkusa Nkhoma called for the review of the farmers’ taxes.

The above occurred during the minister’s inspection of the Lilongwe tobacco auction floors last month, Sadala concurred with the call for tax review.