Commission confiscates nested tobacco bales

The Tobacco Commission confiscated more than 170 nested tobacco bales in the first three weeks of sales.

Nesting is the concealment of stems, scraps, loose leaf or any object within a bale to deceive a buyer on quality or quantity.

Tobacco Commission spokesman Telephorus Chigwenembe said out of the 170 bales, 140 have been confiscated at Lilongwe Floors, 25 at Chinkhoma and two at Limbe Floors.

“The confiscated bales have since been sent to grading companies for rehandling,” said Chigwenembe.

“Last year, proceeds from re-handled nested tobacco bales were shared equally between the owners and the Tobacco Commission. From this year, however, proceeds from the sale of re-handled nested bales will be forfeited to the Commission.”

According to Chigwenembe, nesting must be met with heavy penalties because the practice is unfair to buying companies and can dent the image of Malawi tobacco.