JTI to source tobacco locally

Increased sales on locally-produced tobacco is expected in 2021, following Japan Tobacco International’s (JTI) intentions to hike its purchases for an additional one million kilograms (kg) to support local farmers amid the health crisis. The tobacco giant is programmed to buy 4.6 million kg of tobacco for 2021, higher than its 3.6 million kg purchase this year. JTI general manager John Freda said that such move will fulfil a quarter of their estimated total leaf requirement for 2021. Still, the JTI executive said they have been coordinating with the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) in exploring the possibility of increasing its local tobacco leaf purchases in the coming years. “The NTA initiated a series of meetings on the subject in anticipation of the next harvest and trading season which is expected to begin sometime in March 2021, with the goal of ensuring that all harvest next year will be procured,” Freda explained. “JTI Philippines is committed to support the Philippine government and the local tobacco farmers,” he added. The move JTI is in response to the joint request of Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Agriculture secretary William Dar for the cigarette manufacturer to help local tobacco growers raise revenues by increasing its leaf purchases. The Cabinet officials stressed that the government-imposed quarantine measures hampered the marketing flow of food and agricultural goods, which include tobacco.