Jump to full article: Moultrie (GA) Observer, 2009-10-18
Author: Alan Mauldin
Intro: The outlook for Georgia tobacco farmers was clouded this week with the announcement that the largest cigarette manufacturer will not offer contracts and will close its Alma buying station.
Philip Morris USA told tobacco growers at a Wednesday meeting in Alma that it will no longer issue one-year contracts to growers. The company said it will honor three- and five-year contracts that are in effect as long as growers are in good standing.
"The folks that left that meeting Wednesday were pretty much in a state of confusion," said J. Michael Moore, a University of Georgia extension agronomist. "There's a lot of uncertainty."
The closing of the Alma buying station reflects the tobacco giant's decision to shift production to North Carolina and Virginia, Moore said. It is too early to determine how big the blow will be to Georgia tobacco growers.
Jump to full article » |