A surplus of unsold tobacco has prompted authorities to extend the market season beyond its normal September close to November, the Nyasa Times said.

Tobacco Control Commission official Hennings Wasoni said production this year reached 165 million kg instead of the targeted 133 million, the newspaper said on its website. The law does not allow tobacco grown this season to be sold in the following season, he reportedly said. Low prices and a high rejection rate have marred the current marketing season, the newspaper reported.