MALAWI Tobacco Output to Raise in 2009

Source from:  www.tobaccojournal.com 02/16/2009

10 Feb 2009. Malawi is expected to produce 250 million kg of tobacco in 2009, a 28 per cent increase over last year's output, a senior industry official told Reuters on Monday. Godfrey Chapola, general manager for the Tobacco Control Commission (TCC), said the increase was driven by strong prices on auction floors over the last two years. "We estimate that this year we will produce 250,000 tonnes, 28 per cent higher than last year, when we produced 195,000 tonnes of tobacco because we have registered more new growers this season attracted by good prices," Chapola said. Tobacco, Malawi's main foreign currency earner, accounts for more than 70 per cent of its exports and 15 per cent of its gross domestic product. About 2 million of Malawi's 13 million people depend on tobacco and related industries for their livelihood but the news this year's output may rise sharply has left the government worried that this may lead to a fall in production of the food crop maize. Malawi mainly exports Burley tobacco. The tobacco auction market opens next month.(pi) Enditem