Malawi, a leading producer of burley tobacco, has witnessed a significant increase in its tobacco exports during the 2024 selling season.
Despite facing an El Niño-induced drought that impacted other agricultural sectors, the country’s tobacco industry has thrived.
According to the Malawi Tobacco Commission (TC), sales volumes rose by 10% compared to the previous year, and total revenue from tobacco exports reached $396.28 million, up from $283.76 million.
The average price per kilogram also saw a notable increase.
The TC attributed this impressive performance to strong global demand for tobacco, driven by adverse weather conditions in other major producing countries.
Limbani Kakhome, a spokesperson for Japan Tobacco Leaf, emphasized that the global shortage of tobacco due to weather-related challenges has boosted demand.
While the drought posed a significant threat to Malawi’s agricultural sector, the tobacco crop demonstrated resilience, contributing to the country’s economic growth through increased exports.