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Despite the extreme weather, the Sátoraljaújhely-based (eastern Hungary) Continental Tobacco Group remains optimistic about the tobacco harvest season.
DOFER Tobacco Fermenting Zrt. (DOFER Zrt.), a member of the group, has begun harvesting 1,106 hectares of artificially dried Virginia tobacco, representing a 10 percent increase from last year. The harvest started two weeks earlier than usual due to unusually warm weather. However, production has been challenged by a peronospora infection, not seen in 40 years, caused by humid tropical air. Some plantations have already suffered 30-40 percent damage. The company also faces difficulties due to a shortage of authorized chemicals and labor shortages.
To support growers, DOFER Zrt. is providing technical advice, emergency chemical approvals, and has started buying tobacco early with prompt payments.
As the group’s tobacco production arm, DOFER Zrt. contracts and purchases about one-third of the Hungarian tobacco crop. This season, Virginia tobaccos account for a significant part of Hungarian production, with the Continental Group managing 45 percent of the 2,448 hectares contracted nationwide.
Via MTI; Featured Image: Pixabay