Category: Agriculture & Sustainability

  • Next Brazilian Crop Could Touch 700 Million Kg

    Next Brazilian Crop Could Touch 700 Million Kg

    Photo: Taco Tuinstra

    The South Brazilian tobacco crop for 2024/2025 will cover 309,982 hectares, marking a 9.08 percent increase from the previous crop, reports Kohltrade, citing the Brazilian tobacco growers’ association, Afubra.

    Paraná state recorded the largest growth at 13.63 percent, with 83,981 hectares planted. Santa Catarina follows with 11.78 percent, with 94,212 hectares planted and in Rio Grande do Sul, 131,789 hectares were planted, reflecting a 4.6 percent rise.

    More than 138,020 families will be involved in in this year’s tobacco crop, 3.57 more than in the previous season.

    “We are emerging from two very profitable harvests for many tobacco growers, leading to high profitability,” said Afubra President Marcílio Drescher. “As a result, more land is being dedicated to tobacco cultivation, with families returning to this crop. However, these developments are concerning. An increase in cultivated area during a period of stable weather could lead to higher production levels, which may negatively impact producers’ income.”

    In terms of production volume, the initial estimate indicates a boost of 37.08 percent, leading to a total production of 696,435 tons in southern Brazil. This includes 630,539 tons of Virginia tobacco (36.52 percent), 54,624 tons of Burley tobacco (44.07 percent), and 11,272 tons of Common tobacco (36.45 percent).

    Representatives from grower organizations and tobacco companies are currently calculating the production costs for the 2024/2025 harvest. Price negotiations are expected to commence once this assessment is completed.

  • ITGA Celebrates 40 Years of Representing Growers

    ITGA Celebrates 40 Years of Representing Growers

    Photo: PMFTC

    The International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) marked its 40th anniversary this week.

    Established in 1984 by growers’ representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Malawi, the U.S. and Zimbabwe, the ITGA provides a unified voice to tobacco growers worldwide and offers a platform to represent their interests.

    During the 1990s, ITGA expanded its membership to include many more countries from Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe, cementing its presence as a global representative of tobacco growers.

    ITGA played an active role in international discussions about the tobacco industry, emphasizing the importance of balancing regulatory needs with the livelihood of farmers.

    As environmental and economic pressures increased, ITGA launched initiatives promoting sustainable farming practices to help growers adapt to changing conditions and market demands.

    The association actively engaged with governments and organizations, advocating for fair treatment of tobacco growers amid global anti-tobacco campaigns such as the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that since its entry into force has dramatically influenced the tobacco regulation environment.

    Ever since its foundation, ITGA has served as a unique platform to bring supply chain partners together at regional and global level. Today, ITGA gatherings are fundamental in their role to bring farmers, experts, and other stakeholders to discuss pressing issues, share knowledge, and explore innovations in sustainable agriculture.

    Recognizing shifts in global demand, ITGA began encouraging research and programs to support crop diversification that could potentially benefit farmers in their search for alternative income sources.In addition, ITGA solidified its partnerships with research institutions and NGOs to provide education on sustainable agricultural methods and diversification.

    The association continues to stand as a key representative in policy dialogues, advocating for a balanced approach that considers both public health goals and the economic well-being of growers.

    As ITGA celebrates its 40-year milestone, the organization remains committed to championing tobacco growers’ needs, exploring sustainable solutions, and promoting economic security for farming communities worldwide.

    “I encourage ITGA Members to act as a unified body and carry on the legacy of these 40 years of history that were fundamental to maintain our independent global association raising tobacco farmers voices,” said ITGA President José Javier Aranda.