Mozambique: MLT to Open Second Tobacco Processing Line

Source from:  allafrica.com 07/14/2014

The tobacco processing company Mozambique Leaf Tobacco (MLT), based in the western city of Tete, is to open a second production line in September.

The construction of the processing line, according to the daily newspaper "Noticias", is in response to increasing harvests.

MLT is a major employer in Tete, and works with peasant tobacco growers in Tete, Manica, Zambezia and Niassa provinces. It provides them with technical assistance and purchases the tobacco they produce.

MLT's Alfredo Chambule told the newspaper that the factory's current capacity is 65,000 tonnes of tobacco per annum. However, this year farmers are expected to produce 73,000 tonnes. Next year the figure could rise to 92,000 tonnes, grown by 130,000 farmers on about 80,000 hectares.

Chambule added that the new line will create 900 jobs in addition to the 1,500 workers employed on the existing facility. Enditem