Malawi's tobacco auction floors resumed sales on Tuesday after tobacco farmers forced a suspension last week in protest against a drop in prices, reports Reuters.

Tim Kachitosi, the spokesman for Auction Holding Limited, said that tobacco farmers were back on the auction floors after reaching an understanding with buyers and other industry stakeholders. "Today the quality of tobacco being sold is good," he said, "and the prices range between USD 2 and USD 3, which is still above the government set minimum price of USD 2.20."
Malawi opened its tobacco auction season last week with prices at record highs – farmers sold at between USD 6 and USD 11 per kg. But auctions were suspended on 20 March after the price dropped to USD 4 per kg, as reported by Godfrey Chapola, Tobacco Control Commission general manager, to Reuters. (pi)