The 2025 tobacco sales season has kicked off, with senior manager at Nyasa Tobacco Company, Jack Basikoro, describing the opening day as a mixed bag.

Sharing his insights at Kanengo in Lilongwe this morning, Basikoro said the quality of tobacco is mixed, with some batches fetching high prices, while others are of mediocre quality.

Basikoro noted that good quality tobacco is fetching fair prices, with some batches selling for as high as $310/kg but low-end tobacco mixed with better quality tobacco can lead to lower prices.

He emphasized that buyers are being fair in their pricing, considering the quality of the tobacco, adding that Nyasa is ready to buy as many volumes of the leaf as possible. 

Basikoro expressed confidence that real farmers understand the market dynamics and the importance of producing high-quality tobacco, noting that some farmers might be trying to manipulate the system by mixing low-end tobacco with better quality tobacco. 

President Lazarus Chakwera opened the market on Wednesday with a call for a win-for-all situation during this year's tobacco marketing season.

Speaking to the media as he inspected the leaf at Kanengo Auction floors, Chakwera said he was satisfied with the prices being offered so far but hoped there will be further improvement as leaf quality improves.

Some farmers have already said the highest price of $3.20 seen on the first day was on the lower side given the decline in the strength of the kwacha against the dollar.