CUBA
Tobacco producers are striving to make up for the damage caused by heavy rains and floods as a consequence of tropical storm Alberto.
The 15 days of intense rains damaged to tobacco crops, especially in areas like the western province of Pinar del Rio and the central territories of Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, and Villa Clara.
Miguel Rodriguez, vice-president of the state-owned Tabacuba, said the island lost more than 320 tons of tobacco due to the rains and flooding. He also confirmed that around 2 million leaves were damaged by excess moisture and another million were wet in the plantations. “Over 22,000 tons of tobacco leaves had already been collected and placed inside drying houses or sent to the be processed when the rains started,” said Rodriguez.
Authorities have announced that although premium cigar manufacturing was halted for a week, everything has now returned to normal. However, factory workers are putting in double shifts to regularize production.
According to Rodriguez, the production plan for this year remains intact, with the country to reach 32,000 tons of the aromatic leaf for the first time. Farmers are also striving to achieve the established goal of planting 30,500 hectares of tobacco for the 2018-2019 season, with more than 20,000 to be planted in Pinar del Rio alone.