Tobacco Asia

Tobacco Asia 69 A portfolio of three tobacco types Malawi is particularly known for burley, but also produces smaller quantities of FCV and DAC (dark air-cured). Shire Momentum offers all three varieties, adapting its sourcing to customer requirements and market demand. The company works directly with farm- ers to secure leaf that meets buyers' specifications. Burley has been especially prominent in early commercial discussions, although Cabrera also identified interest in virginia and dark tobacco. The latter may offer opportunities in markets where dark varieties have established applications. Direct relationships with growers are central to the company's approach. They allow it to coordinate production with demand while maintaining con- tact with farmers responsible for delivering the required quality and grades. Ambitious production targets Shire Momentum initially contracted approximately 32 farmers. According to Cabrera, it projected first-year production of around seven million kilograms across its tobacco varieties, with potential capacity of roughly three times that volume. Those are ambi- tious figures for a newly established supplier, of course. Realizing them will depend on securing orders, expanding the grower network when necessary, and consistently meet- ing buyers' requirements. The company can work with Malawi's Tobacco Commission to identify additional farmers as demand develops. InterSupply offered an opportunity to introduce the business to potential customers and discuss its supply capabilities. For a new entrant, such meetings are important not only for generating immediate inquiries but also for establishing credibility in a competitive international market. Putting farmers at the center Cabrera presents social responsibility as a defining element of the company's strategy. He described the founders as arriving in Malawi with ambitions that extend beyond commercial growth. "We went to Malawi with a dream," he said, referring to both "the growth of the country" and "the situation of the farmers." The company intends to help growers improve their livelihoods and support their families. Cabrera also identified preventing child exploitation as a priority and said the founders wanted to share part of the business's success with farmers and workers. These commitments will need to be reflected in day-to-day operations, but they establish the principles the company says will guide its development. Shire Momentum aims to connect its commercial prospects with the welfare of the communities on which its supply chain depends. Looking beyond Malawi The company is targeting customers in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with ad- ditional potential for dark tobacco in Latin America. Shire Momentum's inaugural In- terSupply appearance provided a platform to present its portfolio, explore buyer re- quirements and begin developing international relationships. The immediate challenge is to turn initial interest into repeat business. Shire Momentum has outlined substantial production ambitions, but sustained growth will depend on reliable sourcing, consis- tent quality and the ability to deliver the volumes customers require. For the new sup- plier, the exhibition was a first step toward establishing an international profile while communicating a broader ambition: to build a commercially successful leaf tobacco business with farmers and their communities at its center. More info at: shiremomentum.com K2 Tobacco Company: raising Pakistan's leaf potential K2 Tobacco Company arrived at InterSupply seeking to expand the international reach of its Pakistani leaf tobacco business. Based in Swabi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prov- ince, the company draws on its chief executive's family connection to tobacco and his professional experience. The outfit's c.e.o., Basit Ullah Khan, grew up familiar with the sector, subsequently studied agronomy, and held an internship with Philip Morris. That combination of agricultural education and industry experience helped prepare him to establish his own company approximately three years ago. K2's ambition is to build a larger export business by connecting Pakistani tobacco production with international customers and demonstrating the range of leaf available from the country.

• Cover