To create stable quality tobacco products that match the blendings of consumers’ preferences, it is necessary to have a stable source of input materials. However, till now, the investment and development of tobacco raw materials still exist many problems that need to be handled thoroughly.
Based on the project on developing tobacco leaves growing areas till 2020, and the vision to 2030, the growing area of Vinataba and its output to be about 16,000 hectares, with an output of over 35,000 tons by 2020. Instead, in fact, it was only approximately 6,000 hectares and 11,500 tons, respectively 37% and 33% of the target of the scheme, in which there were 8 major growing regions (Cao Bang, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Tay Ninh). However, by 2021, there remained only 5 growing regions.
On average, in the period 2016-2020, tobacco leaves growing areas and output were witnessed a shrinking in scale, respectively 7.4% and 1.1% year on year.
The cause of such shrinkage in production was due to unfavorable climate, and frequent occurrence of crop diseases in some areas. On the other hand, some growing fields were concentrated in remote areas, where farming practices and absorption of scientific and technical advances by farmers were still inadequate, affecting the yield and quality of tobacco leaves.
Solutions for raw material production units To improve productivity and quality, gradually stabilize and expand the growing areas favorable in weather and soil for good quality tobacco leaves, extra efforts should be made to focus on technical solutions (improvement of farming processes, tobacco varieties, balanced fertilization, control of yielding and drying process, etc.). Moreover, leaf grading in accordance with regulations is crucial for ensuring the requirements of blending from cigarette manufacturers./.
