Philippines Expands Tobacco Production

Source from:  tobaccoreporter.com Oct 23, 2008 10/24/2008

The Philippine tobacco industry is set to expand the country's leaf growing area by 25 percent, reports the Philippine Star Carlitos Encarnacion, administrator of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) said cigarette manufacturers, wholesale tobacco dealers and leaf trading centers will expand their exposure by a fourth both in terms of financing and farm area coverage. Encarnacion said the expansion will greatly boost the income and purchasing power of the tobacco farmers, who are based primarily in Northern Luzon. Encarnacion expects production to reach 56 million kilos worth an estimated PHP3.418 billion ($69.8 million). Enditem