Tobacco producers insist on a meeting with experts from the Ministry of Agriculture

Tobacco producers insist on a meeting with experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, BNR reported. The reason is an urgent need for support for the sector.

Workers in the sector insist that a preliminary working meeting be held before the upcoming Tobacco Advisory Council between their representatives and state experts from the directorates of "Plant Production", "Direct Payments" and "State Aid" - this is clear from a letter from the chairman of the National Association of Tobacco Producers – Tsvetan Filev to the Minister of Agriculture Georgi Tahov.

The goal is a debate on several key topics for the sector, the first of which is the provision of de minimis state aid for tobacco in 2025. The producers' argument is that due to the drought and water scarcity this year, significantly lower tobacco yields per hectare are expected, with some regions experiencing up to 50% lower yields compared to previous years.

Tobacco producers also insist that the maximum amount allowed by the European Commission budget for this year's transitional national supplement be set. For 2025, the allowable amount is just over 32 million euros. For comparison, in 2024, the maximum budget allowed by the European Commission was over 36 million euros. Industry leaders insist that the transitional support for tobacco should be maintained in the next programming period.

The Tobacco Advisory Council is expected to be held between September 29 and October 3.