Tobacco Asia

54 tobaccoasia LEAF NEWS 烟叶新闻 ITGA Unites Global Growers at InterTabac/ InterSupply 2025 The International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA) held its annual general meeting (AGM) alongside the InterTabac and InterSupply 2025 fairs in Dortmund, Germany. This strategic partnership gave ITGA members unprecedented access to the global tobacco supply chain and ensured that growers' voices were heard at the world's leading event for the sector. Representatives from four continents attended, including delegates from Argentina, Brazil, the US, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Bulgaria, and India. The open session addressed key issues includ- ing global market trends, regulatory challenges, and the need for advocacy rooted in growers' lived experiences. In the face of mounting regulation, ITGA emphasized that advocacy must begin with those most affected — the growers. Their real-life perspectives provide credibility and concrete evidence, offering policymakers a clearer picture than statistics alone. Grounding arguments in what happens in the fields helps secure more balanced regulation and ensures that every link in the supply chain contributes to a stronger, united voice. In the market block, ITGA shared updates from leading producing countries, including survey results on grower satisfaction with the current marketing season and expectations for the 2025/2026 crop. Concerns centered on oversupply affecting pricing and pressures on profitability, while sustain- ability and governance were highlighted as critical long-term factors for the viability of tobacco growing. Shane MacGuill, Euromonitor International global lead – nicotine & cannabis, presented an in-depth analysis of the global nicotine landscape, noting that the 5-year volume outlook points to striking resilience. He emphasized the impact of macroeconomic shifts driving downtrading and polyusage, diverging regulatory and consumer profiles across categories, and the role of innovation in emerging segments. Ivan Genov, ITGA manager, tobacco industry analysis, introduced a new metric co-developed with Euromoni- tor to track demand for leaf tobacco based on consumption. Their analysis confirmed a sustained medium-term need for leaf tobacco at current levels. Looking ahead to COP11, ITGA reiterated its concern over the lack of transparency and insufficient agricultural expertise in decision- making processes that directly impact growers. ITGA pledged to continue exposing this imbalance and to advocate for fair, inclusive, and informed debate. A panel moderated by Mercedes Vázquez, ITGA c.e.o., and featur- ing Michiel Reerink, Alliance One International corporate affairs director & managing director, and Maria Reymao, Universal Leaf director of external affairs, explored the direct impact of regulation on tobacco-growing communities. Vázquez underlined that information is a cornerstone for navigating global market dynamics, anticipating regula- tory shifts, and reinforcing advocacy efforts: "Growers' credibility comes from their direct, real-world impact on tobacco cultivation. The stron- gest advocacy is built on consistent arguments that are inherently tied to growers' experiences — making this the most powerful communication tool at their disposal." The AGM also reaffirmed ITGA's mission to secure a living income for farmers worldwide. José Aranda, ITGA president, stressed, "Producers need a dignified standard of living. The study and implemen- tation of the living income benchmark in each country must become a cornerstone of our work. Ignoring this issue would be a grave mistake that could lead to the disappearance of entire markets." India Farmers Seek One Policy for All Tobacco Types The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA), a non-profit representing millions of farmers and farm workers across six major states, held a seminar urging unified regulation of all tobacco varieties to safeguard farmer livelihoods, reports Hans India. Titled "All India Consultation of Tobacco Farmer Leaders," the event gathered farmer representatives, scientists, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss reforms needed to protect India's six million tobacco-farming families—particularly those cultivating non-FCV varieties outside the Tobacco Board's regulation. Farmers voiced concern over foreign corporations allegedly manipulating the market by encouraging tobacco cultivation for nicotine extraction amid strong global demand and high prices. This, they said, has led to overproduction of non-FCV tobacco and losses of about INR5 billion (US$60 million). FAIFA general secretary Murali Babu warned that multinational companies initially offer high prices to lure farmers but later exploit their dependence. "Once farmers become reliant, they're often left vulnerable to unfair practices and price manipulation," he said. "To address this, we urgently need a unified strategy across states and among farmer leaders. We must reinforce the importance of aligning production with actual demand and take concrete steps to curb overproduction. Only then can we ensure sustainable incomes and protect the long-term interests of our farming communities." Experts at the seminar said misleading promises from multina- tional companies have created a mismatch between supply and demand, leaving non-Virginia tobacco farmers with unsold stock and financial ITGA President José Aranda emphasizes the need for fair, sustainable livelihoods for tobacco growers, calling the pursuit of a living income benchmark in every country "a cornerstone" of the association's mission. Credit: ITGA.

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