Tobacco Asia 21
Dr. Noor Zaman Khan,
c.e.o., Malburo
Tobacco International.
Credit: Thomas Schmid
which growers had trouble selling off their stocks.
So they down adjusted how much they planted. If
we take these two aspects into account, tobacco
production in Pakistan is 50% less than it was
before the virus pandemic.
TA: Which areas in Pakistan were most heavily affected
by the flooding?
Khan: There were many, but especially the area
around [the city of] Mardan and Khyber Pakh-
tunkhwa province in general. Some areas were
five feet underwater. It drowned the crops. But as
I mentioned, farmers also had been down
adjusting their crops. They were very concerned
that if they planted too much, they might not be
able to sell it, rotting in warehouses. And then
suddenly, that shortage was upon us and every-
body was shocked.
TA: Who is "everybody"?
Khan: The farmers, but the merchants and
exporters also. Nobody expected that sudden
shortage.
TA: So you're saying that foreign importers and
manufacturers will have difficulties having their orders of
Pakistani tobacco filled?
Khan: Yes. [Foreign businesses] have placed
orders for millions of kilograms with us, but we
cannot fill those orders because we just don't
have enough stocks.
TA: Has this been driving up prices?
Khan: Yes. The price is really very high now.
