Tobacco rejection rate has gone down to 27% from 70% in the first three weeks of this year’s Tobacco Marketing Season, confirmed by Tobacco Association of Malawi (Tama).

Explaining the prior massive rejection rate of 70%, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Grey Nyandule Phiri, blamed the tobacco farmers for mixing their tobacco grades and high moisture content. The 70% rejection rate was registered at Mzuzu Auction Floors comes in as the currently second highest, following Limbe Action Floors that registered 48%.

Tama chief executive officer Felix Thole said the 27% rejection record means development signifies that the market relatively better compared to when it started “Ithis can continue, farmers would not complain much because what they want is their tobacco to be sold to get returns on their investments.” said Thole.