The country has 29 tobacco-growing areas spread across 15 provinces.

The Dominican Republic has 29 tobacco-growing areas spread across 15 provinces, where more than 150,000 acres are planted, producing 330,000 quintals of tobacco, according to the Tobacco Institute (Intabaco).

The director of Intabaco, Iván Hernández Guzmán, indicated that the provinces where the product is grown are Santiago, Montecristi, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, Valverde, Puerto Plata, Espaillat, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel, Sánchez Ramírez, Monte Plata, Hato Mayor, San Juan, Azua, and Elías Piña.

Hernández Guzmán noted that Santiago is the central tobacco-producing region, with approximately 51% of total production planted from October to February, a period averaging 120 days.

The official explained that the most common Dominican tobacco varieties used in the production of premium cigars are Olor Dominicano, which is used for milder cigars; Havanensis, which is used for cigars with more body and flavor; Havanensis Introduced, a hybrid variety used for cigar wrappers and with a characteristic acidity; Local Criollos, and Wrapper-Cultivated Tobaccos, among others.

He noted that the Tobacco Institute certifies the soils where the product can be grown, ensuring that it has good drainage, water quality that is free of salts, good texture, structure, porosity, pH, organic matter, and nutrients, as well as ensuring that the crop is grown in a tropical climate.

He stated that more than 127 formal tobacco factories currently operate in the Dominican Republic, with 27 located in free trade zones and 50 emerging. These factories generate more than 110,000 direct and indirect jobs, yielding $1.34 billion in annual exports, making them the country’s second most exported product after medical supplies.

Intabaco Assistance

INTABACO provides agricultural technical assistance and crop management services to over 3,500 producers nationwide annually.

The institution supports the processes of soil analysis, land plowing, delivery of tobacco seeds and seedlings, sale of subsidized sticks and strips at low costs for the development of a curing ranch, technical advice for cultivation, free training for producers and young students, issuance of export processing letters for tobacco and its manufactures, letters of no objection for tobacco imports, certification, delivery of fumigation equipment, and general technical assistance.