Tobacco sales have earned the country US $52million (approximately K38.2 billion) as the season progresses.

Official figures released by the Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) indicate that the tobacco has so far brought in  $16million more than last year same time.

Chief executive officer for the TCC Kaisi Sadala said this was a great leap than last year when the tobacco market was marred with low and smoky prices.

Sadala said same time last year tobacco earnings were at US$36 million.

“Same period last year, we sold 25 million kilograms of tobacco but this year we have sold 39 million kilograms representing a 71 percent increase,” said Sadala.

He, however, said although there is much improvement on the tobacco brought to auction floors, there is a need for the tobacco to be properly graded for it to fetch better prices.

Tobacco remains the mainstay of the Malawi economy although it faces smoky future.