JT in Brazilian venture
Japan Tobacco International officially opened its first South American cigarette factory on September 26, according to a note posted on its website on October 11 or 12.
The factory is in Santa Cruz do Sul, which has been JTI’s base since 2009 when the company started leaf tobacco operations in Brazil.
The 10,000-m2 plant has the capacity to operate four production lines in up to three shifts.
The note said the factory would produce Camel and Winston, which are sold in Brazil, and LD for export.
In addition to supplying the Brazilian market, the factory’s output would be distributed to Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, and, gradually, to the whole of Latin America.
“In 2018, we celebrated 100 years of Japanese settlement in Brazil,” Mutsuo Iwai, Japan Tobacco Inc.’s executive vice president and president of the Tobacco Business, was quoted as saying. “Now, we are very proud to open this factory in Santa Cruz do Sul. This is a great step to develop our business in Brazil. The JT Group will continue to establish strong relationships with Brazilian stakeholders.”