The U.S. Tobacco Industry

With 18 percent of world tobacco exports and 12 percent of production, the United States is the leading tobacco exporter and the second largest producer behind China. While tobacco is America's sixth largest cash crop, U.S. tobacco production has declined because of lower tobacco use per cigarette, more imported tobacco in U.S. cigarettes, smaller exports, and reduced U.S. cigarette production. Most tobacco is used in cigarettes, but other products include snuff, cigars, and chewing and smoking tobacco. Japan and West Germany are the major importers of U.S. tobacco, and Turkey and Brazil are the major exporters of tobacco to the United States. This report examines the U.S. tobacco industry—tobacco use, production, and trade—and how Government programs affect tobacco farmers. The cultural practices, harvesting and curing systems, market preparation, and production costs for tobacco are also reviewed