Tobacco.org

• Leaf Production Plummets With End of Program 

U.S. tobacco production for the 2005 season was forecast at 644.3 million pounds as of September 1. After the passage of buyout legislation which terminated the tobacco program beginning with the 2005 crop, many growers have ceased tobacco farming or reduced acreage, waiting to gauge the market in the coming years. The crop is expected to be 27 percent below last year’s 879.2 million pounds. Acreage in 2005 is projected at 307,010 acres, 25 percent less than the 2004 season. Cigarette leaf production is expected to account for 91 percent of U.S. output in 2005 or 584.4 million pounds, compared with 816.8 million pounds during the 2004 season. Cigar types accounted for 1 percent, while dark-fired and air-cured leaf accounted for 8 percent.

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