The 2020-2021 tobacco harvest in Nicaragua is safe, despite the severe impact of Hurricane Eta two weeks ago. This was announced by the Nicaraguan Chamber of Tobacco, after evaluating the damage caused by the rains in Estelí.
“When the cyclone came, the growing season had not yet begun, so most of our producers had not planted yet. However, we are now monitoring Hurricane Iota, which made landfall in Nicaragua on November 17”, said Claudio Sgroi, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Tobacco.
Out of more than 3,850 hectares dedicated to tobacco cultivation in the north, only about 175 hectares have been planted, which have not been greatly affected. “It is true that the soil is saturated and the rain that is expected now will not help,” explained Sgroi, who is also president of Mombacho Cigars of Nicaragua.
With the arrival of Hurricane Iota, it is foreseeable that the start of the planting season will have to be delayed until optimal conditions are in place, which would entail an adjustment in the cultivation schedule, Sgroi added.
The premium cigar factories did not suffer damage to their infrastructure during Hurricane Eta, a category 4 cyclone, which hit Nicaragua on November 3, leaving severe damage, especially on the Northern Caribbean Coast.
Nicaraguan Tobacco Festival
The Nicaraguan Chamber of Tobacco recently announced the decision to cancel the next edition of the International Tobacco Festival “Puro Sabor”, scheduled for January 2021. “Instead of the festival we are preparing virtual factory tours and customized virtual master classes by experts and manufacturers of the most prestigious Nicaraguan brands, for the coming months.”
