Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1547352
Tobacco Asia 65 www.microlasertech.com MLT - Micro Laser Technology GmbH Benzstr. 5b 85551 Kirchheim near Munich/Germany Tel.: +49 (0) 89 901196 700 contact@microlasertech.com Online laser perforation: For existing and new cigarette machines. Solutions for the production of smoke free products. Laser stamping for cartons (cigarette packaging). Worldwide service and also laser refurbishment. Laser perforation solutions for the tobacco industry Firstandika, a 2026 co-author of a peer-reviewed study specifically on tobacco leaf processing, believes that climate change is affecting farmers' interest in cultivating tobacco, which is known to be more sensitive to environmental condi- tions than many other crops. "During the post-harvest stage, many traditional farmers still rely on sun-drying, which is highly dependent on weather conditions. Changes in rainfall patterns, humidity, temperature, and the duration of sunlight can there- fore significantly affect the drying process and the resulting to- bacco quality." For tobacco producers and manufacturers, he adds, there is a need for objective quality standards, as quality assessment is still largely dependent on human judgment. "At the same time, tobacco leaf suppliers and farmers need more efficient cultiva- tion and post-harvest methods so that the quality of the tobacco produced is consistent with the requirements of the industry." Proactively adapt In the years ahead, manufacturers face a tobacco market whose product mix is changing and whose agricultural foundation is becoming more exposed to climate and economic uncertainty. The implication is clear: leaf sourcing is moving beyond the tra- ditional procurement function. The companies best positioned for the next decade may be those that treat tobacco leaf as a key raw material — one requiring long-term relationships, diversified origins, agronomic investment, detailed forecasting, robust logistics and contin- gency planning. The industry's challenge will not necessarily be finding tobacco, but rather finding the right tobacco, in the right condition, at the right quality, and at the right time — repeat- edly, despite a growing list of variables beyond the manufac- turer's control. According to Sumranjai, the industry must proactively adapt across seed selection, agronomic technologies, cost-effi- ciency measures, climate adaptation strategies, and end-to-end traceability systems to maintain long-term competitiveness and supply chain security. An aging farming workforce and labor shortages threaten tobacco-growing capacity across Asia, putting cultivated land and generations of specialized farming knowledge at risk. Credit:TOAT.