Tobacco leaf production rose 7.45% to 45.4 million kilograms in 2024, with more farmers encouraged to plant by export opportunities and local government incentives, according to the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).
NTA Deputy Administrator Nestor C. Casela said Monday that the increase in production was accompanied by a weakening of tobacco leaf purchase prices to P129.04 per kilogram in 2024, compared to the reported average of P137.32 per kilogram for 2023.
“Our tobacco became competitive in international markets. Apart from this, the share of local government units (in tobacco taxes) is higher; That is why they are so motivated to encourage their farmers to plant more,” Mr Casela told reporters on the sidelines of the International Tobacco Summit.
He added that China, the largest tobacco producer, has reduced its production, opening the door for more Philippine tobacco to enter the global market.
Tobacco production from Virginia increased from 14.77 million to 16.79 million kilos. Indigenous tobacco production increased from 20.59 million to 20.98 million kilos, while Burley tobacco production increased from 6.89 million to 7.63 million kilos.
Philippine Tobacco Growers Association President Saturnino Distor also attributed the increase in production to corn farmers switching to tobacco.
“Maize farmers are having problems with autumn armyworms,” Mr Distor said on the sidelines of the summit.
Fall armyworms feed on more than 80 crop species, including corn, rice, sorghum and vegetables.
The NTA also reported that the number of tobacco farmers grew to 43,098 in 2024 from 40,786 last year.
The land area under tobacco cultivation increased from 25,309 hectares a year earlier to 25,926 hectares.
For 2025, the NTA aims for a production of 45.58 million kilos, which if realized would be an increase of 0.4% compared to 2024.
Mr Distor said the production target for the year is likely to be met thanks to better climatic conditions compared to 2024, when the country faced the effects of El Niño and La Niña. — Adrian H. Halili