Growers in Malawi expect to produce 250 million kg of tobacco in 2009, a 28 per cent increase over last year's output, a senior industry official recently told Reuters.
Godfrey Chapola, general manager for the Tobacco Control Commission (TCC), said the increase has been driven by strong prices on auction floors over the last two years.
"We estimate that we will produce 250,000 tonnes, which is 28 per cent higher than last year when we produced 195,000 tonnes of tobacco, because we have registered more new growers this season who have been attracted by good prices," Chapola said.
Tobacco, which is 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. Out of a population of 13 million, roughly 2 million Malawians depend on tobacco and related industries for their livelihood. Yet the news that this year's output may sharply rise has left the government worried that this could lead to a fall in maize production, a staple food crop.
Malawi primarily exports burley tobacco. The tobacco auction market opens next month. (pi)