ITGA AGM Host & Venue

TGANC

Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina

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Residence Inn By Marriott

Website

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Courtyard By Marriott

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Fairfield By Marriott

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18:30 to 22:00 EDT

Registration

Residence Inn by Marriott - Raleigh, North Carolina - Cardinal Room

Registration Available from 6.30PM to 10PM 

16:00 EDT

Finance Committee (Closed Session)

Residence Inn by Marriott - Raleigh, North Carolina - Cardinal Room

18:00 EDT

Welcome Cocktail

Residence Inn by Marriott - Raleigh, North Carolina - Lounge Area

08:00 EDT

Issues Day (Public Session)

08:00   Board Bus for Universal Leaf Factory, Nashcille, NC

09:00   Arrive Universal Leaf - Observe Receiving of Tobacco 

09:30   Tour Processing Factory 

10:30   Depart for Wilson, NC

11:15   Visit Live Auction

11:45   Depart for Wilson Country Agricultural Extension Center 

12:00 - 13:00  LUNCH 

13:00   ITGA Issues Day - Public Session - Cardinal Room

17:30   Ad journ General Session and Depart for Dinner 

17:45   Parkers BBQ Restaurant 

19:00   Depart for Raleigh

19:45   Arrive Hotel Facilities 

08:00 EDT

ITGA Annual General Assembly - Closed Session

Residence Inn by Marriott - Raleigh, North Carolina - Capital Room 

 

Only ITGA Member Associations

13:30 EDT

Lunch to All Participants

Residence Inn by Marriott - Raleigh, North Carolina - Capital Room 

NC Research Farm

All Participants

14:30   Board Bus for Tour of NC Research Farm, Oxford, NC

15:30   Arrive Research Farm 

              Welcome and Overview, Dr. Loren Fisher, NC State Director of Tobacco 

              Field Tours and Dicussions 

18:00   Depart for Raleigh

19:00 Arrive at Hotel Facilities 

NC Agriculural State Fair

09:00   Board Bur for NC Agricultural State Fair

09:30   Various shceduled events throughout the day 

 

Speakers & Participants

José Javier Aranda

ITGA President

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ITGA

International Tobacco Growers Association

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Graham Boyd

TGANC Executive Vice President

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TGANC

Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina

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TAZ

Tobacco Association of Zambia

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Zvhikonyo Mahombe

TAZ President

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Mercedes Vázquez

ITGA Chief Executive Officer

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Shane MacGuill

Euromonitor Global Lead Nicotine & Cannabis

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Euromonitor

Euromonitr International

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Marcílio Drescher

Afubra President

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Afubra

Afubra

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Ivan Genov

ITGA Manager Tobacco Industry Analysis

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BSC

Burley Stabilization Corporation

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Daniel Green

BSC Chief Executive Officer

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Benedict Kisaka

TCJE General Manager

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TCJE

Tobacco Cooperative Joint Enterprise

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Nixon Lita

TAMA CEO

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TAMA

TAMA Farmers Trust

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ZTA

Zimbabwe Tobacco Association

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Graham Ross

ZTA President

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ARET

Agricultual Research And Extention Trust

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Dr. Albert Changaya

ARET Chief Executive Officer

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Jonathan Renn

TGANC Vice Presidente

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William Snell

Agricultural Economist, University of Kentucky

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Al Pedigo

Dark Tobacco Association (US)

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Universal Leaf

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Benjamin Dessart

Vice President, External Affairs at Universal Leaf

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Michiel Reerink

International Corporate Affairs Director & Managing Director, AOI

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Alliance one

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Srinivasa Murali

General Secretary of the Federation of all India Farmers

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TII

Tobacco Institute of India

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COPROTAB

Cooperativa de Productores Tabacaleros de Salta

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CT Salta

Cámara Del Tabaco De Salta

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CTM

Cooperatia Agroindustrial de Misiones Limitada

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Dominican Cigar

Cigarro Dominicano

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CTJ

Cooperativa de Tabacaleros de Jujuy

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ECLT

ECLT Foundation

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UNITAB

UNITAB

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INTABACO

INTABACO

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Members of the media are welcome to attend ITGA 2024 Annual General Meeting. For media accreditation and inquiries, please get in touch.

While leaf prices are often at the centre of attention for tobacco growers and, in fact, for all other key players in the supply chain, there is another major component that is driving viability – tobacco yields. In 2024, ITGA goes on a journey around the world to examine the driving forces behind tobacco yield variations. We take an in-depth look into yield related issues across the leading tobacco producing countries and understand better the differences between small scale and large scale growers’ challenges.

Our research shows the last decade of yield trends and reveals how countries are clustered – with the US, Brazil and the EU on top, while the rest are lagging behind. Nevertheless, one cannot escape the most obvious observation – that yield progression is rather flat across the board, which goes against prevailing dynamics in many other crops. Over time, corn, soybean and cotton have seen a significant growth in yields, thus contributing to improved prospects of the respective farming communities. Alternatively, while tobacco is often the most profitable crop in comparison to other viable options, its yields have largely stagnated.

The issues impacting yield dynamics for small scale farmers are numerous. For example, lack of infrastructure – drying or curing capabilities, water deficit due to inefficient supply, low availability of leaf varieties that could help better performance, land ownership and lease issues leading to inadequate land preparations. Other problems include “stretching” of inputs to cover bigger areas in an attempt to guarantee higher production volumes, that often results in yield reduction. Technological advancements are often beyond reach for small scale farmers. There is also difficulty in adopting new practices without adequate training and assistance.

Globally, the highest average yields are often achieved by commercial growers. Farmers in the US are good example of this trend. Nevertheless, changes in management practices over the last years have not helped the pursuit of higher yields. While in the past, when US tobacco was under a federal program that limited the amount growers could sell, there were much more smaller farms. Under the more intensive management, those crops were usually placed on some of the best soils. Now that we have fewer and much bigger farms, the crop does not always benefit from such pre-conditions.

Weather changes are among the most frequently cited reasons for yield related issues. US growers mention that tobacco favours dried conditions. Excessive moisture in the tobacco plant’s roots can quickly result in extensive root hair loss and dramatically reduce the chances of reaching full yield potential. In the US, more intensive storms in the last decade have played their role. As recently as early 2024, growers in Brazil suffered from unprecedented floods affecting hundreds of thousands of people, while in Zimbabwe there was a prolonged drought leading to the declaration of a state of disaster.

There is also the issue of labour shortage – in developing and developed countries alike, where workers are just not interested in agriculture and find other ways to make a living. Being a labour-intensive crop, this particular issue often directly impacts quality and expected yield levels.

University studies focused on optimal conditions, productive, well-drained, fertile and uniform soils show that maximum potential could exceed 3,500 kg per hectare. However, even these variety trials can be negatively influenced by weather and pest extremes. Notably, sometimes increasing production costs in an attempt to achieve maximum yields can be disadvantageous as stagnant prices reduce profitability. As a result, growers often alter management decisions in attempt to preserve profitability, that might in turn lead to reduced yields.

Variety availability is also an important yield determinant. In other crops, certain varieties are only available to producers for a few years, and then cycled out as new and improved versions are introduced. Tobacco varieties tend to be available and used for commercial production for many years. This could be beneficial in terms of taking advantage of producing consistent crops year after year, but their potential might be limited in the long term.

Other factors like regulation are also important. We must not forget that tobacco is among the most tightly regulated sectors with a trend that suggests higher level of restrictions in the future. Take as an example North Macedonia. Once the country enters the European Union, the current system of subsidizing farmers based on the amount of tobacco produced will have to be terminated, which will contribute to a serious decrease in attractiveness.

For growers to remain competitive, they will have to continuously adapt and increase efficiencies. Sometimes growing fewer hectares could allow for better management and better soil selection. However, it is difficult for many experienced tobacco growers to grow less in years where the market is demanding more, which is the case now. Tobacco growers must have adaptation and mitigation strategies to maintain their profitability and enhance productivity. This includes integration of irrigation systems, genetic improvement programs and other strategies. Financial assistance and trainings are also essential.

What seems to be vital in this case, as well as in many other challenges in tobacco, is cooperation. We need to engage all relevant parties and learn from each other’s experiences in order to tackle issues related to improving yields. Only then we could see them on a trajectory that is similar to other crops.

 

Click on the image above to see more! 

1. Tobacco Products Consumption Trends: 

How are traditional and new generation tobacco products performing around the world? 

3. Tobacco Productivity:

What are the Key Factors Affecting Tobacco Yields?

 

 

2. Tobacco Leaf Market in 2024:

What is the Market Dynamic in the Leading Tobacco Producing Countries?  

4. Focus on US Tobacco:

 How are Local Growers Preparing for the Future? 

ITGA 2024 AGM: A One of a Kind Experience to Understand US Tobacco Growing

Wilson North Carolina Auction Center

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Oxford University NC

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Research Farm

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North Carolina State Fair

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