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Tag: farmers

  • Zimbabwe Nears $1.1B From Tobacco Exports

    Zimbabwe Nears $1.1B From Tobacco Exports

    Zimbabwe earned $1.1 billion from 201.4 million kg of semi-processed tobacco exported between January and November, according to the Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board. This compares with $1 billion from 208.4 million kg during the same period last year.

    The Far East remained the top buyer, taking 89.1 million kg worth $630.7 million at an average $7.08/kg. Africa followed with 33 million kg valued at $154.6 million, while the Middle East bought 30 million kg for $88 million. The EU imported 27.2 million kg at $5.83/kg, and Europe purchased 12.8 million kg at $5.09/kg. The Americas bought 9.1 million kg, and Oceania, though a small buyer, paid the highest price at $8.45/kg.

    Tobacco remains Zimbabwe’s top agricultural export and key foreign currency earner, generating $1.3 billion in 2024 and contributing roughly 30% of total exports.

  • Pakistan Tobacco Demand Slashed, Farmers Taking Losses

    Pakistan Tobacco Demand Slashed, Farmers Taking Losses

    Tobacco purchasing companies in Pakistan have reduced their demand for the 2026 crop by 13.2 million kg, setting total requirements at 61.627 million kg. This marks the fourth consecutive year of cutbacks, with overall demand falling from 85.5 million kg in 2023 to 77.3 million kg in 2024, 74.8 million kg in 2025. The bulk of purchases will be made by multinational firms, led by Pakistan Tobacco Company and Philip Morris (Pakistan) Ltd, which together account for more than 36 million kg of flue-cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. The remaining FCV demand will be met by 78 national companies, including Khyber Tobacco. While demand for FCV, dark air-cured, and sun-cured tobacco has declined, requirements for White Patta and burley tobacco have increased slightly.

    Industry experts note that farmers are facing severe financial losses due to limited storage options and price discrepancies between the weighted average price (Rs 719 per kg) and the minimum indicative price (Rs 545 per kg [$1.96]). Companies profited by Rs 6.2 billion ($22.2 million) from surplus purchases at lower rates in 2025, while growers bore the losses. Despite reduced domestic demand, tobacco exports surged from 20 million kg in 2023-24 to 47 million kg in 2024-25, a 135% increase. However, Ayaz Khan, former director of the Pakistan Tobacco Board, said the benefits of rising exports have not reached farmers, who remain vulnerable to falling purchase prices and shrinking demand, leaving them at a disadvantage compared to multinational and national firms.

  • Brazil Attacking its Own Farmers, Critics Say

    Brazil Attacking its Own Farmers, Critics Say

    The International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) criticized Brazil for sending an “anti-tobacco” delegation to COP11, pointing out the hypocrisy for the third-largest tobacco grower in the world. In contrast, it pointed to Poland, which reportedly defended its 30,000 growers who held protests in Warsaw ahead of the conference.

    “Farmers also highlighted the hypocrisy of reducing European production only to replace it with imports,” the ITGA wrote in its daily update. “In Geneva, Poland’s delegation reinforced these concerns with strong statements defending growers and calling for balanced policymaking.

    “In stark contrast, Brazil—where more than 133,000 farming families rely on tobacco—has sent one of the most aggressively anti-tobacco delegations, showing little regard for the livelihoods at stake in its own domestic sector.”

    Romeu Schneider, vice president of Afubra (the Tobacco Growers’ Association of Brazil), voiced his opposition to the Brazilian government’s tobacco policy. “Brazil should never have ratified the FCTC, as it compromises national sovereignty and threatens Brazil’s tobacco market, which is valued for its quality and volume and has promoted many social and environmental initiatives in rural communities,” he said. “Tobacco is economically and financially crucial for a developing country like Brazil, yet current policies risk ceding this market to other countries. These measures are deeply concerning and place Brazilian producers in a difficult position, prompting strong indignation from our side.”

  • ITGA Marks 20 Years of Advocacy at WHO FCTC, Calls for Grower Inclusion

    ITGA Marks 20 Years of Advocacy at WHO FCTC, Calls for Grower Inclusion

    The International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA) reaffirmed its commitment to representing millions of tobacco growers worldwide as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) celebrates its 20th anniversary. In a statement, the organization said that for two decades, ITGA has engaged in the FCTC process, emphasizing the social and economic impacts of tobacco control policies on growers. The organization participated in the FCTC’s first public hearing and has attended every Conference of the Parties (COP), advocating for transparency and the inclusion of growers’ voices.

    As COP11 convenes, ITGA calls for continued dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and policies that consider the livelihoods of families dependent on tobacco cultivation.

  • Philippines: Tobacco Farmers Warn of Livelihoods Threatened by WHO 

    Philippines: Tobacco Farmers Warn of Livelihoods Threatened by WHO 

    Filipino tobacco farmers are voicing strong concern ahead of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) COP11, warning that proposed measures under Agenda Item 4.1 could devastate rural livelihoods and the wider tobacco economy. The Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA), representing 50,000 farmers, said the recommendations — including ending government support for tobacco cultivation, restricting profits, and imposing manufacturing and import quotas — could “destroy farms and entire communities.” The sector supports more than 2.1 million workers, according to the National Tobacco Administration.

    PTGA President Saturnino Distor urged COP delegates to balance public health goals with economic realities, highlighting the role of the Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP) in promoting sustainable cultivation and linking local production to the demand for reduced-risk alternatives such as vapes and e-cigarettes.

    Farmers also cited challenges from illicit trade and declining local demand, with 80% of Philippine tobacco output now exported. Distor called on policymakers to reject prohibitionist measures and instead pursue “practical, harm-reduction-based solutions,” noting the successes seen in the UK, Japan, and Sweden through regulated smoke-free products.

  • Farmers, Economy in Jeopardy as Tobacco Remains Unsold in Malawi

    Farmers, Economy in Jeopardy as Tobacco Remains Unsold in Malawi

    More than 4 million kg of tobacco remain unsold at Mzuzu Floors in Malawi despite the Tobacco Commission (TC) extending the marketing season, a setback that farmers warn could push them into financial ruin. The unsold leaf, worth an estimated K17.2 billion ($9.8 million), represents both a personal crisis for farmers and a blow to Malawi’s economy, which depends on tobacco for over 50% of its foreign exchange earnings.

    Farmers say many took out loans expecting to repay them through sales, but with buyers pulling back and prices falling, they are now trapped in debt. “We can’t pay workers or send our children to school,” said Chitipa farmer Hazwell Chikakuda, whose buyers canceled contracts mid-season. “Buyers backed out, and I’ve been selling the remaining leaf at throwaway prices. We feel abandoned.”

    TC spokesperson Telephorous Chigwenembe confirmed large volumes of unsold leaf remain both on and off the market, citing an oversupply as the main challenge. Tama Farmers Trust CEO Nixon Lita added that demand has slowed as stocks pile up. While Malawi sold 218.9 million kg of tobacco this season, worth $539.4 million (up from $396 million last year) the glut now threatens foreign exchange inflows and economic stability.

    Economists warn that without intervention or diversification, the country risks deepening its dependence on the volatile crop. As one analyst put it, “Unsold tobacco means unpaid loans, empty pockets, and a weaker economy.”

  • JTI Releases White Paper on Tobacco Farmer Supply Chains

    JTI Releases White Paper on Tobacco Farmer Supply Chains

    JTI published a white paper highlighting its evolving relationship with tobacco farmers, focusing on improving yields, product quality, and sustainability. Paulo Saath, Global Head of Leaf Operations, emphasizes balancing business growth with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

    Titled, “Changes and Innovation in the Tobacco Supply Chain,” the paper details how JTI is tackling challenges like climate change and geopolitical volatility through digitization, AI, and integrated analytics, centralizing 15–20 systems into a unified data platform for better visibility across its global supply chain.

    Saath also stressed that technology succeeds when paired with human engagement, advising leaders to address concerns transparently and support teams through transitions, ensuring sustainable and efficient operations.

    Find the white paper here (e-mail registration required).

  • Malawi Government Urged to Take Over Tobacco Diversification Agenda 

    Malawi Government Urged to Take Over Tobacco Diversification Agenda 

    A report by the Sustainable Development Initiative (SDI) in Malawi said the nation’s agricultural diversification programs are not yielding the desired results, with farmers struggling to access markets for alternative crops. Maynard Nyirenda, executive director of the SDI, said his organization understands that weaning Malawi off its reliance on tobacco will be a long and challenging process, given the crop’s entrenched history in the country dating back to colonial times, however he emphasized the need for a gradual transition to alternative crops.

    The SDI said that after decades of practice, the current tobacco diversification agenda hasn’t yielded economic prosperity, and that the tobacco industry’s diversification programs are driven by the industry itself, creating a conflict of interest. He emphasized the need for a farmer-centered approach, stating that the Malawi government should provide direct market access, technology, and infrastructure for alternative crops such as soya beans, sunflowers, and groundnuts.

    “We are saying, let the government own this particular diversification agenda so that the other crops are also given enough support that the tobacco industry has received,” Nyirenda said. “If you can support the same soya beans and whatever alternatives, give it a lot of support as we have been doing on tobacco, it will be sold outside, it will be exported. We will still be getting the same U.S. dollars.”

  • Croatian Smokers, Tobacco Growers on the Rise

    Croatian Smokers, Tobacco Growers on the Rise

    According to a study, 37% of people in Croatia used tobacco products last month, an increase of 4% from two years ago. Of those users, 74% smoked cigarettes, a 6% increase from 2023. The study was carried out by JA Trgovac magazine and Hendal, a respected global market research agency.

    Tobacco use, however, is creating a boon for the country. The research indicated that 20% of the users were spending upward of €4.50 per day on the taxed products. In addition, Hrvatski Duhani, a BAT subsidiary located in Virovitica, reported buying more than 4,500 tons of tobacco from 250 local growers last year for more than €20 million, an increase of 41% from two years earlier. 

  • NC Tobacco Growers to Vote on Assessment

    NC Tobacco Growers to Vote on Assessment

    North Carolina tobacco growers will decide this month whether to continue assessing themselves to support export promotion. It was announced today (February 11) that a referendum will take place February 19 at the Johnston County Agricultural Building, in Smithfield.

    For years, growers of flue-cured tobacco have assessed themselves to fund Tobacco Associates Inc., which seeks to promote and expand the export of U.S. leaf. If farmers approve the assessment, it will be no more than one-fifth of one cent per pound. The assessment would continue until the next vote in 2029.