Philippines' Tobacco Production Down d

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 07/30/2012

The Philippines' tobacco production during the crop year 2011-2012, at 68.2 million kg, was down by 14.5 per cent on that of the previous crop year, 79.8 million kg, according to a Business Mirror story quoting National Tobacco Administration (NTA) figures. NTA administrator, Edgardo D. Zaragoza, blamed unhelpful weather and a drop in planting for the production drop. Zaragoza said that growers were satisfied with current prices, which had reached P77 per kg, up from P73 per kg a year ago. However, he refused to be drawn on whether the size of the next crop would be increased on that of 2011-2012 because planting is not due to begin until October or November. Zaragoza said that demand for Philippine tobacco continued to increase because of its high quality. Enditem