Malawi Tobacco Farmers Withdrawing Their Leaf at the Floors

Source from:  By Tione Andsen  05/11/2007

Malawi, Wednesday, May 9: Tobacco farmers at Malawi's Limbe Auction Floors have resorted to withdraw their tobacco and hold it after being dissatisfied with the plunging prices at the floors. After enjoying a promising tobacco selling season for the past month farmers are being subjected to low prices which are threatening the industry. Random interview at the floors Wednesday indicated that the pricing of the leaf started nosing diving since Monday after the farmers had enjoyed good pricing last week. The farmers claim that the leaf was fetching an average price of US$ 2.40 per kilogramme but things turn sour two days ago when the average price was pegged at US$ 1.40. A tobacco grower from the southern district of Phalombe 120 kilometres south east of commercial city of Blantyre, Nedi Chikwakwa said farmers are not impressed with the pricing at the floors. "I brought 90 bales but I have withdrawn 50 bales because I am not happy with the sells," he said. Chikwakwa pointed out that last week prices were very encouraging but now the leaf is going at an average price of US$ 0.80. The farmers explained that buyers need to adhere to the minimum selling prices of US$ 1.10 set by government for fair trading. He said the current pricing could not much the cost of production hence the move to withdraw of the bales from the floors. "I will have to keep my bales and look for other alternative markets and unlike what is happening now," Chikwakwa added. Another tobacco grower from old capital city of Zomba, Vincent Mambo said the current state of affairs would jeopardize the hard working spirit farmers had on the crop. He said tobacco sales would always be disrupted if growers would resort to offer lower prices for our leaf. Mambo explained that buyers should be satisfied with the quality of leaf that is being presented to them and not having negative attitude always. "They need to change their mind set that farmers would always present bad quality tobacco at the floors. They need to do their buying professionally,'' he remarked. An official at the floors who asked for anonymity said this is not the first time farmers have expressed concern of over the issue of pricing. He said last week sales were suspended after the farmers demanding immediate discussions with the buyers regarding the pricing. "The two parties reached an agreement and the sales resumes with better prices. Farmers have a right to protect their crop when they feel are being victimized," the official added. The sales are still continuing despite the out cry from farmers. Enditem