The Minister of Agriculture Hon. Roza Fatch Mbilizi on April 29 held talks with the Tobacco Commission and tobacco buying companies over the high auction tobacco rejection rate in the 2026 marketing season.
Since the start of the marketing season on April 20, the rejection rate has been unprecedented, falling between 95 and 100% of daily auction sales.
On April 24 and 26, the Commission engaged buying companies and growers, respectively, to interrogate the issue. Following the talks on April 26, growers cancelled protests that had been planned for Monday, April 27.
During the April 29 meeting in Lilongwe, the three parties – the Commission, tobacco buying companies and the Minister – examined the high rejection rate and discussed options.
The Minister informed the buying companies that government felt duty bound to protect farmers.
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