Growers advised to quit tobacco as demand falls

Sluggish demand for tobacco grown by farmers in the Kampong Cham province of Cambodia has led to grower prices falling below the levels of those of 2013, according to a story in The Phnom Penh Post.

Chhay Vy, president of the Tobacco Farmers Association (TFA), said reduced demand from local companies and Vietnamese buyers for Cambodia-grown tobacco had resulted in farmer prices falling from $1.80 per kg last year to $1.25 per kg this year. “2014 was not a good year for tobacco farmers,” Vy said.

This year’s prices were down on those of both 2011 and 2013 to levels at which farmers were said to have been unable to make a profit.

Government officials have responded to Vy’s concerns by saying that tobacco farmers should change to other crops.

Chheang Chay, director of the Kampong Cham Provincial Department of Commerce, said tobacco farmers in Vietnam were facing similar issues because smoking was becoming less popular.

“Tobacco is a sensitive product due to health issues,” Chay said. “We cannot promote it like other agricultural product[s].

“Farmers should plant other crops instead of tobacco because the smoking trend is becoming less popular and it is doubtful that it will again become popular.”