2023 Cuban tobacco crops at stake after Hurricane Ian

Cigar companies in Cuba are reeling after damages caused by extreme weather while farmers begin repairing their buildings. In the province of Pinar del Rio, the region in western Cuba most affected by Hurricane Ian ten days ago, is the municipality of San Luis, where some of the finest tobacco in the world is planted.

The tobacco houses where the leaves have to be put to dry were completely destroyed and some 33 tons of tobacco leaves got soaked. Workers were frantically trying to put the tobacco houses back up with what can be salvaged from the debris, even when their own homes have been destroyed.

They hope the government will subsidize the reconstruction to be able to start planting in November. Pinar del Río provides 80% of the tobacco produced in Cuba. Cuban cigars are appreciated all over the world because of the quality of the tobacco leaves and the artisanal way that they are still made in the island.