Japan's Leaf Tobacco Cultivation to be Cut by A Third

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 11/22/2011

Leaf tobacco cultivation in Japan is to be slashed by a third next year, according to figures announced by Japan Tobacco Inc. The all-types cultivation is to be cut by 32.9 per cent to 9,450 ha, with flue-cured down by 37.8 per cent to 6,018 ha, Burley down by 21.5 per cent to 3,371 ha, and a local variety down by 41.3 per cent to 61 ha. The Leaf Tobacco Deliberative Council on Wednesday released its annual figures for next year's domestic leaf tobacco cultivation and grower prices. The council, which comprises no more than 11 members appointed by JT with the approval of the Minister of Finance from among representatives of domestic leaf tobacco growers and the academic community, was said to have been in general agreement with JT's proposal submitted earlier in the day. The average all-types grower price was set at ¥1,890.61 per kg, an increase of 1.14 per cent on the price set the previous year. The government is currently aiming to sell part of its stake in JT, which is obliged to buy all of the tobacco produced locally. Four thousand one hundred and six growers cultivating 4,412 ha have applied to take up JT's offer of compensation for stopping cultivation of tobacco. Enditem