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Universal Reduces Flue-Cured, Burley Tobacco Forecasts for 2009 

Universal Corp., the world’s largest tobacco-leaf merchant, forecast global output of 4.277 billion kilograms (9.43 billion pounds) for the top grade of the leaf this year, below its previous estimate.

The forecast for flue-cured tobacco compares with an estimate of 4.296 billion kilograms, given on March 31, the Richmond, Virginia-based company said on its Web site. Global output of the tobacco last year was 4.175 billion kilograms.

So-called burley tobacco production will probably be 844 million kilograms this year, 2.4 percent less than the previous forecast. Burley production totaled 734 million kilograms last year, Universal said.

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