The Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) has said this year’s tobacco selling season will start on April 25 with the opening of the Lilongwe Auction Floors.

TCC Chief Executive Officer Kaisi Sadala said the development follows a continuous tobacco supply.

He further said that they have received over 5000 bales of tobacco at the Lilongwe auction floors.

“We have received over 5000 bales of tobacco at the Lilongwe Auction Floors, which is enough not only to start the selling of the commodity but also ensure a continuous marketing of the crop so the sales will commence on April 25,” said Sadala.

He added that tobacco farmers must make sure that their tobacco is in good state and they follow all the conditions of tobacco selling.

“I would like to urge all tobacco growers to make sure that they prepare their tobacco in line with proper guidelines such as grading of the tobacco, conditioning and removing foreign materials in their bales to ensure that the tobacco fetches good prices on the market,” Sadala said.

Sadala said that Chinkhoma Auction Floors is expected to be opened on April 29, Limbe and Mzuzu markets would be opened on May 2 and May 6, respectively, while Kabwafu satellite floor would be opened on May 16.

President Peter Mutharika is expected to commission the start of the tobacco-selling season.