MALAWI
Tobacco Commission’s (TC) chief executive officer, Kayisi Sadala, said preparation for the 2020 market season was on despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadala said that the commission is not left out on preventive measures on the pandemic as the virus has affected the global business that has led to lockdown in affected neighboring countries.
He explained that the commission is still monitoring the situation to find a way to prevent growers and buyers from the deadly disease. Sadala was quick to point out that preparatory meetings are taking place so that the market can operate but will wait for government approval to open the market when the situation is back to normal. He stressed that TC is taking measures to contain the spread of the virus through proper hygiene like distributing protective kits.
On tobacco estimates, Sadala revealed that consolidation was taking place and that the commission was able to announce the data for crop estimates and withhold the release order imposed by the US government.
On illegal vending, the TC chief said the TC is watching closely and that it will enforce the law and monitor the situation on the ground.
He concluded that the commission is ready for the fourth marketing season but that the coronavirus remains a threat to open the tobacco market in good time.