Manila Times
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Thursday, Jul 17, 2025
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Tobacco Farmers Anticipate Increased Earnings as Prices Climb
As trading continues despite adverse weather, Philippine farmers benefit from soaring tobacco prices.
The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) of the Philippines has confirmed that tobacco trading remains fully operational across the country, even as the rainy season begins.
The NTA has reported that farmers are poised to earn more due to significantly increased prices for tobacco products.
In a recent statement, the NTA highlighted that trading centers focused on flue-cured Virginia tobacco in the Ilocos region will remain open until June 30. These centers are managed by Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI), Trans Manila Inc. (TMI), and Continental Leaf Tobacco Philippines Inc. (Conleaf).
Giovanni Palabay, the NTA's La Union Department Manager, noted that Virginia tobacco harvested after the trading deadline will still be accepted upon request, ensuring that farmers can still sell their crop.
The highest buying price for flue-cured Virginia tobacco at these trading centers may reach ₱130 per kilo, contingent upon the quality of the leaves.
Additionally, the trading operations for burley and native tobacco across regions such as Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are scheduled to conclude on August 31. The NTA reports that the leading price for burley tobacco is ₱118 per kilo, while native Batek tobacco can reach ₱175 per kilo.
Various companies involved in purchasing burley and native tobacco include Pentaleaf in Cagayan Valley as well as Antonio and Josefina Trading Center (A&J TC) and John Medriano Trading Center (JMTC) in La Union.
Farmers in Mindanao are also selling their native Batek tobacco at the Tabo Market.
According to NTA data, there are currently 59,242 registered tobacco farmers in the Philippines, cultivating tobacco across 32,503 hectares.
Approximately 2.2 million Filipinos are reported to be economically reliant on the cultivation of tobacco.
NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez stated that this cropping season, farmers are expected to profit more due to the elevated buying prices, which exceed the established tobacco floor prices.
The NTA has detailed the latest approved floor prices for various tobacco classes this season:
For flue-cured Virginia tobacco: Class AA – ₱97; A – ₱96; B – ₱95; C – ₱93; D – ₱85; E – ₱84; F1 – ₱75; F2 – ₱72; R – ₱61.
For burley tobacco: Class A – ₱81; B – ₱78; C – ₱69; D – ₱58; E – ₱57; F – ₱49; R – ₱39.
For native tobacco: High Grade – ₱81; Medium 1 – ₱70; Medium 2 – ₱60; Low 1 – ₱50; Low 2 – ₱38.
Tobacco remains the only cash crop in the country with designated approved floor prices, which are reviewed biennially through a tripartite forum comprising farmers, traders, and tobacco manufacturers.
Under the law, the NTA is responsible for authorizing these tobacco floor prices through the aforementioned collaborative forum.
The NTA has reported that farmers are poised to earn more due to significantly increased prices for tobacco products.
In a recent statement, the NTA highlighted that trading centers focused on flue-cured Virginia tobacco in the Ilocos region will remain open until June 30. These centers are managed by Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI), Trans Manila Inc. (TMI), and Continental Leaf Tobacco Philippines Inc. (Conleaf).
Giovanni Palabay, the NTA's La Union Department Manager, noted that Virginia tobacco harvested after the trading deadline will still be accepted upon request, ensuring that farmers can still sell their crop.
The highest buying price for flue-cured Virginia tobacco at these trading centers may reach ₱130 per kilo, contingent upon the quality of the leaves.
Additionally, the trading operations for burley and native tobacco across regions such as Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are scheduled to conclude on August 31. The NTA reports that the leading price for burley tobacco is ₱118 per kilo, while native Batek tobacco can reach ₱175 per kilo.
Various companies involved in purchasing burley and native tobacco include Pentaleaf in Cagayan Valley as well as Antonio and Josefina Trading Center (A&J TC) and John Medriano Trading Center (JMTC) in La Union.
Farmers in Mindanao are also selling their native Batek tobacco at the Tabo Market.
According to NTA data, there are currently 59,242 registered tobacco farmers in the Philippines, cultivating tobacco across 32,503 hectares.
Approximately 2.2 million Filipinos are reported to be economically reliant on the cultivation of tobacco.
NTA Administrator Belinda Sanchez stated that this cropping season, farmers are expected to profit more due to the elevated buying prices, which exceed the established tobacco floor prices.
The NTA has detailed the latest approved floor prices for various tobacco classes this season:
For flue-cured Virginia tobacco: Class AA – ₱97; A – ₱96; B – ₱95; C – ₱93; D – ₱85; E – ₱84; F1 – ₱75; F2 – ₱72; R – ₱61.
For burley tobacco: Class A – ₱81; B – ₱78; C – ₱69; D – ₱58; E – ₱57; F – ₱49; R – ₱39.
For native tobacco: High Grade – ₱81; Medium 1 – ₱70; Medium 2 – ₱60; Low 1 – ₱50; Low 2 – ₱38.
Tobacco remains the only cash crop in the country with designated approved floor prices, which are reviewed biennially through a tripartite forum comprising farmers, traders, and tobacco manufacturers.
Under the law, the NTA is responsible for authorizing these tobacco floor prices through the aforementioned collaborative forum.
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