Showing support at tobacco day
The sustainability of the local tobacco industry continues to be threatened by illicit cigarette trade.
AECI Plant Health, part of #OneAECIForABetterWorld, joined stakeholders at a tobacco day recently hosted by Limpopo Tobacco Processors in Rustenburg in support of South Africa's struggling tobacco producers.
The banning of cigarettes during the Covid-19 pandemic opened the floodgates for the illegal cigarette trade in South Africa.
Consequently, legitimate tobacco farmers now compete with more illegal cigarettes than ever before.
Help from government is slow, but industry representatives continue to lobby for the improved protection of the local legal industry.
The total land area under cultivation in South Africa has declined but committed tobacco farmers are still motivated and enthusiastic. All legal produce is sold to cigarette manufacturer British American Tobacco in Rustenburg.
AECI Plant Health was strongly represented by Vaalwater crop adviser Bossie Bosman, advisory manager north Hendri Strydom, technical adviser in the north Renette Harmse and marketing manager Dr Andre Cilliers.
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