Tobacco cultivation in Cuba
Tobacco, it is said, is of Peruvian origin. It is however in the Caribbean, in Cuba, where it found its greatest splendor.
There are different tobacco growing regions on the island. However, the most famous are the territories corresponding to Vuelta Abajo and Vuelta Arriba, that is, the west and center of the country.
Tobacco nurseries and land throughout the Cuban archipelago are preparing for fall.
The new tobacco shoots will be replanted only 4 to 5 weeks later, towards the end of November.
By early December, millions of tobacco plants will have filled thousands of hectares of particularly generous land.
A first harvest of excellent quality for the best cigars takes place only in February.
At the end of March, new tobacco leaves of lower quality are collected for the cigarette factories.
April and May are good for drying a few tons of tobacco and it is from June to July that the fermentation of the tobacco leaves will take place, taking advantage of the natural humidity brought by the great rains of the Cuban summer.
It is finally in August that 90% of the tobacco harvested must be sold to the cigar factories run by the government.
The farmer can thus keep a certain quantity of tobacco for his personal consumption.
The western province of Pinar del Rio is home to the golden land of tobacco worldwide. This tobacco is recognized for the particular intensity and strength of its aroma and flavor.
Cuba also holds the top 6 cigar brands internationally. Namely, Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo & Julieta, Partagas, H.Upmann and Hoyo de Monterrey.
Tobacco represents a real gold mine for the Cuban economy. For example, sales of Cuban cigars average around 500 million dollars a year.
There are 45 cigar manufacturing companies in Cuba, 23 of which are dedicated to the production of tobacco leaves, as well as 800 cooperatives and some 16,690 growers who cultivate more than 37,000 hectares.
Habanos SA holds a 70% share of global trade and has 155 Casas del Habano in its main markets in Spain, China, France, Germany, Cuba, Lebanon, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Canada.
Cigars are one of the most authentic symbols of Cuba, a sign of national identity.
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