The Tobacco Commission, tobacco buying companies, and the Ministry of Agriculture have convened emergency high-level talks in Lilongwe following a sharp rise in tobacco rejection rates during the ongoing 2026 marketing season.
This is according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Tobacco Commission and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Telephorus Chigwenembe.
Chigwenembe said since the market opened on 20 April 2026, rejection levels have surged dramatically, with some daily sales recording between 95 and 100 percent rejection rates, describing the trend as unprecedented in recent years. 
Chigwenembe said ,“The current high-level meeting will focus on examining the causes of the high rejection rates, as well as considering available options and their merits.”
He further stated that the ongoing engagement is expected to produce practical solutions aimed at improving performance in the tobacco auction market during the current marketing season.
The Commission is expected to update growers on the outcome of the engagements by Thursday, 30 April.
