Tobacco sales at Mzuzu Auction Floors disrupted by angry farmers

Drama characterized the sales of Tobacco at Mzuzu Auction Floors on Thursday which happened to be the second day of the market as farmers disrupted the sales.

The market which was opened on Wednesday started on high note with some of the leaf fetching as high as US$1.60 and the rejection rate was much lower than in other tobacco markets.

But things turned around on Thursday as buyers were offering lower prices, the development which did not please farmers.

The rejection percentage jumped from 23 percent on Wednesday to 65 percent a day after the market was opened.

In retaliation farmers staged a protest inside the auction with others throwing the Tobacco at buyers, leading to the suspension of sales.

Meanwhile it is not yet known as to whether the market will be reopened today.