Cuba reduces tobacco sowing but guarantees exports

Cuba is dealing with a decrease in tobacco harvesting amid a shortage of fertilizer in the country. Government figures have shown that planting was about 20% lower, in a three month period until the end of January, compared with initial projections.

Pavel Noa, who heads the agricultural department of Tabacuba, said that "an embargo" and the "international financial situation" caused by the pandemic were also exacerbating the situation.

Officials in the country have said that the decrease in planting and harvesting would not affect the production of cigars and that the nation had stored enough leaves to cover about two years of cigar production.