Average Production, Good Quality

Source from:  Tobacco International 01/20/2009

Zagreb - The 2008 Croatian crop did well this year, according to a trade delegation that visited the US in September. There was some loss to hail, maybe 10%, but otherwise the growing season went smoothly. Harvest was expected to be complete by the middle of October, which would be right on schedule. Production of 11,000 tons of flue-cured and 1,000 tons of burley was expected. The main growing area is along the Hungarian border. Most tobacco is grown in very sandy soil. According to a press statement issued in September by TDR, the leading tobacco company in Croatia, the country produces about 4% of the tobacco produced in Europe. About 2,500 farms are engaged in tobacco production. About 6,000 hectares are normally planted and they produce 12,000 to 14,000 tons of tobacco a year. About 40% is exported as leaf. Croatia is the only country in continental Europe that has maintained the same level of tobacco production over the past 10 years, TDR said. This year's crop is of extremely high quality, the statement said. To maintain the quality of its new brand Avangard - a new-generation cigarette featuring innovative filtration technology of the Seletec filter - TDR said it is purchasing Virginia and burley tobacco from the United States. The unique aroma of these styles is the strong point for TDR. Enditem