Malawi is now ranked sixth in the world. Stevens says the big problem at the moment is the high growing cost, combined with long maturity times and the costs of delivering the nuts in shell to only two factories, located at opposite ends of the country. This has made it unattractive to many tobacco farmers. It's our only hope. And like tobacco, says Mhone, paprika is an annual crop allowing much faster returns, which can be developed for export.
Major buyers are Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa and Europe.
An association of paprika farmers is attempting to persuade tobacco farmers to switch to the crop and to develop and market it. Other commodities receiving public attention and government support for export potential include sunflowers, soya beans, groundnuts, cashew nuts, dried fruits and vegetables, and a wide range of spices.