OVERVIEW OF TOBACCO GROWN IN PAKISTAN

FLUE CURED

The style of the Pakistani tobacco is mostly filler; the requirement of Semi flavored and flavored is increasing gradually. Over the last few years, radical changes have taken place in crop husbandry practices which has resulted into change in the crop profile and enhanced yield. All these changes are on account of low to medium topping and suckering, plantation on ridges with plant to plant spacing 3X2 sq feet couple with compound fertilizers application.

The chemistry is improved, the nicotine level is within the range of 1.7 % to 3.5%, whilst the sugar level is falling within the range of 8 % to 15 %. Around 20 % to 30 % tobacco produces is semi flavor style. The main focus in the future is more semi flavor & filler Style. The long stems have around 22% sugars and has good bulging capacity.

Varieties grown here in Pakistan are standard commercial varieties. These varieties are K399, NC95 , SPEIGHT G-28 AND HYBRID. No Genetic Modified variety is allowed to be cultivated. The certified seed is being issued by the Government Agency (Pakistan Tobacco Board) to all tobacco industries for onwards distribution to the farmers.

Curing and Grading system is as per the international Management.

SUN CURED:

It is a traditional variety grown here in the northern part of the country. Its local name is WP (white patta) while its technical name is Nicotian Rustica. This variety is short stature with around 15 leaves per plant and are rounded in shape. It’s a high nicotine (around 4.5%) source of tobacco which is mostly used in smokeless product (Naswar) and in low medium category cigarettes.

It is cured under the sun & then bulked for a week. Its grading is very simple, mostly with few grades. The 1st quality grade is with greenish lemon color and is semi aromatic in taste; it is mostly used in Hubble & bubble. The 2nd & 3rd quality grade, the color of the leaf is dark brown to brown; leaf body is heavy with 3.5 % to 4% nic content. This style finds its way mostly in Naswar product.

AIR CURED:

It’s a Virginia type variety, grown in central Punjab, Speight G28 & Gulpao are the two main varieties used for air curing. Its crop husbandry practices are similar to FCV, except its curing which is conducted under the shade. Its leaves are reaped and tied with wooden sticks and hanged under the shade for curing. Its dark brown mahogany color tobacco, and is used in the low medium segment brands. Its production is quite low, instead the tobacco industries are encouraging the low nic & thin bodied Virginia tobacco to be sun dried rather than flue cured for cost cutting.

CROP CYCLE