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WORLD DEVELOPMENTS
Mexico: Excess supplies in the international market are expected to dampen demand for Mexican leaf abroad. Production will be down because of a 20-percent drop in planted area. The sharp burley planting decline is attributed to decreased cigarette production. For complete report go to Attache Reports and search for MX 0042.
Austria: Domestic cigarette sales increased by 6 percent during the first quarter of 2000. Cigarette exports rose to a record level 3.7 billion pieces. Cigarette prices increased during the second quarter as a result of increased taxes. The rise in retail cigarette prices during the second quarter is not expected to impact cigarette consumption for the rest of 2000. For complete report go to Attache Reports and search for AU 0015.
Uzbekistan: Tobacco production is forecast to decline by 4 percent in 2000 due to weather- related problems. However, leaf imports are projected to increase by 12 percent. Production of a new cigarette by British American Tobacco is expected to drive demand for foreign leaf in 2000. Cigarette production is forecast to increase by 5 percent in 2000, as a result of stricter efforts to prevent smuggling. For complete report go to Attache Reports and search for UZ0005.
Pakistan: Leaf production in 2000 is forecast to decrease by 2 percent or reach 101,600 metric tons due to decreases in both area and yield. Sources expect farmers will switch from oriental to burley and flue-cured tobacco due to an oversupply of oriental tobacco. For complete report go to Attache Reports and search for PK0014.
Kazakhstan: Leaf production for 2000 is expected to increase slightly due to increased demand from cigarette manufacturers. Cigarette production is estimated to increase by nearly 4 percent and to reach 26.7 billion pieces in 2000 because of strong demand abroad. For 2000, cigarette exports are forecast to increase by 10 percent. For complete report go to Attache Reports and search for KZ0004.
U.S. DEVELOPMENTS
USDA Announces Final Tobacco Referendum Results: Farmers voted to approve quotas for marketing years 2000, 2001, and 2002 for fire-cured (type 21 and through 23) and dark air-cured (types 35 and 36) tobacco. For complete report go to FSA PR#1486
USDA Issues 2000 Price Support Grade Loan Rates for Virginia Fire- and Sun-Cured Tobaccos: USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation issued price support grade loan rates for the 2000 Virginia fire-cure, type 21 and Virginia sun-cured, type 37 tobaccos. Price support loan rates are unchanged for the 2000-crop. For complete report go to FSA PR#1483
Maryland Tobacco Auction Update: The Maryland Tobacco Auction closed after four weeks of tobacco sales. Leaf prices reached a three year high as a result of strong European demand. Prices averaged $1.66 per pound during the sale. But top grades brought $1.80 to $1.90 per pound. Switzerland, Germany, and Italy accounted for the bulk of export sales.
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