Malawi’s tobacco export earnings up

The value of Malawi’s leaf tobacco exports during the first five months of this year, at $137.7 million, were increased by 58 percent on those of the first five months of 2013, $87 million.

The exports, which, in the case of the 2014 figures, were from the Reserve Bank of Malawi, and which, in the case of the 2013 figures, were from the Tobacco Control Commission, were reported by Ventures Africa.

Malawi was one of the world’s most tobacco-dependent economies, said Ventures Africa, something that had contributed to the country’s vulnerable economic position. Tobacco made up 53 percent of Malawi’s exports and tobacco sales generated $165 million per year for Malawi.