Kentucky, a state known for its rich agricultural history, has a unique story to tell – the story of its tobacco growers. This tale is not just about a crop; it’s about the people who cultivate it, their traditions, and the economic impact they’ve had on the state over the years. It’s about resilience in the face of change, and the adaptability required to thrive in an evolving industry.
The Role of Tobacco in Kentucky’s Economy
Tobacco was the most valuable component of Kentucky’s economy, but those involved in farming or agriculture were often exploited. The crop-lien system was one way farmers were suppressed and exploited.
The Impact of Child Labor in Tobacco Farms
Child labor was a significant issue in the tobacco fields of Kentucky. Children worked long hours and were exposed to diseases such as hookworm and pellagra, which many children were infected with and died from.
The Economic Challenges Facing Kentucky Tobacco Growers
In the modern era, Kentucky tobacco farmers face a challenging marketing environment characterized by a concentrated group of buyers with market power and very competitive tobacco producers from other countries and traditional and nontraditional growing areas in the United States.
The Role of International Competition
Kentucky tobacco growers now have to pay a lot more attention to cost-cutting measures (along with quality) if they are going to survive and prosper in the post-buyout era.
The Impact of Changing Market Conditions
Despite challenging growing and curing conditions, global market conditions are offering increased production opportunities for burley tobacco, while shifting consumer demand patterns are leading to significant contract cuts for dark tobacco.
The Role of Technology in Modern Tobacco Farming
Modern technology has allowed for more efficient and effective cultivation practices. However, the number of cultivation events in a growing season can vary significantly from grower to grower.
The Impact of Climate on Tobacco Cultivation
The 2022 season was remembered as a year of extremes in weather patterns, which significantly impacted the yield and quality of the crops.
The Role of Diversification in the Future of Tobacco Farming
With the decline in tobacco production, many Kentucky farmers are diversifying their farms. Some are moving to cattle farming, while others are betting on new crops like hemp.
The Impact of Regulatory Changes on Tobacco Farming
Regulatory changes, such as the end of federal government price supports and high taxes on cigarettes, have also forced Kentucky tobacco farmers to adapt and change their farming practices.
what are the different types of tobacco grown in kentucky
Kentucky is known for growing three main types of tobacco:
- Burley Tobacco: This is a light air-cured tobacco primarily used for cigarette production. It is the most produced tobacco in Kentucky, accounting for approximately 70% of the tobacco produced in the United States. Burley tobacco is recognized for its light brown color and flavorful taste.
- Dark Fire-Cured Tobacco: This type of tobacco is primarily used in smokeless tobacco products such as snuff, chewing, and pipe tobacco. The production of dark fire-cured tobacco is concentrated in the western counties of Kentucky.
- Dark Air-Cured Tobacco: Similar to dark fire-cured tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco is also used in smokeless tobacco products. It is grown in the same regions as dark fire-cured tobacco in Kentucky.
how has the demand for tobacco products in kentucky changed in recent years
The demand for tobacco products in Kentucky has seen a decline in recent years, although the state still has a higher rate of tobacco use compared to the national average.
In 2018, 23.4% of adults in Kentucky smoked, which decreased to 21.4% in 2020. The use of cigarettes among high school students in Kentucky was 8.9% in 2019.
The use of electronic vapor products among high school students in Kentucky was 26.1% in 2019, while 6.4% used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip, and 7.9% smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars.
However, the demand for specific types of tobacco products has seen changes. For instance, the sales of major premium moist snuff products have generally been down in the 5% range, while the sales of tobacco leaf-free nicotine pouches, a substitutable product for moist snuff consumers, have been rapidly expanding.
The U.S. cigarette sales continue to slump as consumers switch to alternative nicotine products. After falling 8.7% in 2022, U.S. cigarette production is down 8% so far in 2023.
In terms of tobacco production, the 2023 Kentucky-Tennessee tobacco budgets for burley, dark air-cured, dark fire-cured, and cigar wrapper tobaccos indicate that burley tobacco growers in Kentucky intend to set 35,370 acres, which would yield around a 70 million pound crop. For dark tobacco, the U.S. dark fire acreage is expected to be down 10%, while U.S. dark air-cured acres are projected to be 12% lower in 2023 compared to the previous year.
how has the tobacco industry in kentucky changed over time
The tobacco industry in Kentucky has undergone significant changes over time, influenced by various factors such as changes in demand, regulations, and public health awareness.
In the past, tobacco played a central role in Kentucky’s agricultural economy. In 1964, tobacco made up nearly 50% of farm income in Kentucky. A decade later, money from tobacco sales amounted to more than 10% of all personal income in 38 counties, and in the early 1980s, more than 74,000 farms reported growing tobacco. In the 1990s, the value of the state s tobacco crop averaged more than $800 million annually.
However, the industry began to decline after the federal government ended the price-support program in 2004. This program had allowed farmers to make more on an acre of tobacco than on other crops, which meant that even those without sufficient land for crops such as soybeans and corn could make money growing tobacco. The end of this program led to a significant drop in the number of farms growing tobacco in Kentucky, from more than 74,000 in the early 1980s to only 2,618 in 2017.
The decline in the tobacco industry in Kentucky has also been influenced by a decrease in tobacco use. While Kentucky still has one of the highest smoking rates in the nation, the percentage of smokers has decreased over the years. In 2018, 23.4% of adults in Kentucky smoked, which decreased to 21.4% in 2020. The use of cigarettes among high school students in Kentucky was 8.9% in 2019.
Despite these changes, Kentucky still ranks first in burley, fire-cured, and dark-cured tobacco production, and second in total tobacco production in the nation. However, the days of tobacco being the king crop in Kentucky are in the rear-view mirror.
Conclusion
The Kentucky tobacco industry has a rich history and has played a significant role in the state’s economy. However, modern challenges such as international competition, changing market conditions, and regulatory changes have forced Kentucky tobacco growers to adapt and diversify. Despite these challenges, Kentucky remains a significant player in the tobacco industry, and its farmers continue to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in the face of change.
Statistics
Production and Export Statistics
Tobacco is one of Kentucky’s top 5 agriculture exports. In 2021, Kentucky burley tobacco production was estimated at 71.8 million pounds, yield was estimated at 2,050 pounds per acre, and harvested acreage was estimated at 35,000 acres.
Decline in Tobacco Harvest
A report from the United States Department of Agriculture predicted a decrease in the number of tobacco acres harvested in Kentucky. The number of tobacco acres harvested was predicted to decrease by 15% compared to the previous year, reaching a new all-time low.
FAQs
- Who are the main tobacco growers in Kentucky?
- What types of tobacco are grown in Kentucky?
- Where is tobacco mainly grown in Kentucky?
- Why is Kentucky known for its tobacco production?
- How is tobacco grown and harvested in Kentucky?
- Is there a license required to sell tobacco products in Kentucky?
- Can anyone grow tobacco in Kentucky?
- Does Kentucky export its tobacco?
- Will the tobacco production in Kentucky continue to decrease?
- What are the alternatives for tobacco growers in Kentucky?
- What is the economic impact of tobacco production in Kentucky?
- How has the tobacco industry in Kentucky changed over the years?
- What are the challenges faced by Kentucky tobacco growers?
- What are the future prospects for Kentucky tobacco growers?
- How does the tobacco industry in Kentucky compare to other states?
Books
“Tobacco Culture: Farming Kentucky’s Burley Belt” is a book that provides an in-depth look into the process of growing tobacco and the culture that has developed around that process in Kentucky https://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Culture-Kentuckys-Kentucky-Remembered/dp/0813192285
https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813192284/tobacco-culture/.
Sources of Information
The University of Kentucky provides a wealth of information on tobacco production, including guides and research-based recommendations for growers https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID160/ID160.pdf
https://www.uky.edu/Ag/TobaccoProd/pubs/id160.pdf. Other sources of information include the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and various news outlets that cover agricultural trends and developments in the state https://www.kyfoodandfarm.info/tobacco
https://www.kyfoodandfarm.info/features/2012/11/19/kentucky-tobacco-producers-adapt-to-a-changing-industry
https://www.kyagr.com/Kentucky-AGNEWS/2016/Tobacco-continues-to-green-up-Kentucky-economy.html.
Citations
- University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Burley and Dark Tobacco Production. https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID160/ID160.pdf
- Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Frequently Asked Questions: Tobacco in Kentucky. https://abc.ky.gov/Documents/tobaccoFAQsandstatementsheet.pdf
- KyFoodandFarm.info. Tobacco Production in Kentucky. https://www.kyfoodandfarm.info/tobacco
- United States Department of Agriculture. Kentucky Tobacco Harvest Decline Predicted To Continue. https://www.wkms.org/agriculture/2019-03-29/kentucky-tobacco-harvest-decline-predicted-to-continue
- Van Willigen, John, and Eastwood, Susan C. Tobacco Culture: Farming Kentucky’s Burley Belt. https://www.amazon.com/Tobacco-Culture-Kentuckys-Kentucky-Remembered/dp/0813192285
https://www.kentuckypress.com/9780813192284/tobacco-culture/