Tidbits from Cuba

[Fugu]

Ok, thanks! Hmm, that would mean suboptimal conditions for tobacco then, extending far out into the hotter/sunnier/wetter season. (I am aware, such had been done before on occasion, mostly in response to calamities...). Plus, usually, the soil would need some rest, when farmers would plant intercropping. But I guess they aren’t immediately replanting the same tobacco fields. Interesting!

[El Presidente]

11 hours ago, Fugu said:

Ok, thanks! Hmm, that would mean suboptimal conditions for tobacco then, extending far out into the hotter/sunnier/wetter season. (I am aware, such had been done before on occasion, mostly in response to calamities...). Plus, usually, the soil would need some rest, when farmers would plant intercropping. But I guess they aren’t immediately replanting the same tobacco fields. Interesting!

The second planting is generally for cigarette tobacco. I first saw it being done on Don Alejandros finca some 20 years ago. 

[Fugu]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

The second planting is generally for cigarette tobacco. I first saw it being done on Don Alejandros finca some 20 years ago. 

Thanks Rob! Indeed, that has also been my understanding so far. But NSX is quoting a second planting of ‘wrapper’ and ‘sun grown’, so that seemed to address a replanting done for cigar tobacco, I wonder (no such distinguishing in cigarette tobacco, since it’s all grown uncovered of course). Which appears quite unusual indeed, at least when done as a regular proceeding. Not only in terms of suboptimal growing conditions. I would also think they’d put the drying process at risk when shifting that ‘second’ harvest more into the wet season.

[El Presidente]

8 hours ago, Fugu said:

Thanks Rob! Indeed, that has also been my understanding so far. But NSX is quoting a second planting of ‘wrapper’ and ‘sun grown’, so that seemed to address a replanting done for cigar tobacco, I wonder (no such distinguishing in cigarette tobacco, since it’s all grown uncovered of course). Which appears quite unusual indeed, at least when done as a regular proceeding. Not only in terms of suboptimal growing conditions. I would also think they’d put the drying process at risk, when shifting that ‘second’ harvest more into the wet season.

Many have planted in Jan after crops have been wiped out by Nov/Dec weather.  It is a hail Mary pass with mixed success. Rarely do the myriad of smaller operators have the ability to do it. 

Over the past few years, weather has seen many try for a second planting via necessity. The results may have changed their thinking. Keep in mind the weather patterns also appear to have moved (major topic of discussion in PDR). 

However, traditionally, it is cigarette tobacco. 

[Fugu]

7 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Many have planted in Jan after crops have been wiped out by Nov/Dec weather.  It is a hail Mary pass with mixed success. Rarely do the myriad of smaller operators have the ability to do it. 

Yeah, that would make sense to me.

[El Presidente]

Just now, Fugu said:

Yeah, that would make sense to me.

Cory and NSX would have more up to date information than I. 

As with most things in Cuba, it is the follow up questions (emphasis on the plural)  that you ask that determines if what is being said is accurate or "pinch of salt" territory.  

[Corylax18]

@Fugu

Rob covered it pretty well, but I can add a few details. Black Tobacco only takes about 90 to120 days to mature from seedlings so that gives the farmers some leeway within the optimal growing season. There is definitely an art and some luck involved with when they start planting each year. Hector got absolutely crushed by Hurricane Ian(that harvest was pretty much a complete loss), so he needed a "home run" this year and swung for the fences with a very early planting (first half of October). The weather stayed mostly dry and warm, so every grower lucked out there. 

Late October through March is "optimal" and that's more based on rain/hurricane avoidance than temps. It will still hit 95F/35C In late November/December or even late March. Hector's farm has a small river running right down the middle of it, so when it gets that hot, his guys will be out hand watering the plants every day. As Rob mentioned smaller farms or farms with less resources can't do this and they'll either lose plants or the quality will fall off. 

As you mentioned, the second planting is definitely of a lower quality. The soil has less nutrients and the night time temps really start to go up. The drying process can also be affected if steady/regular rain comes in April. (its doesn't always) The 2nd harvest is typically smaller and of a lower grade than the first. But if the weather cooperates, some of it could make the grade for brands like Vegueros or Quintero. If the tobacco doesn't make the grade necessary for the export brands, it could go into domestic peso cigars or cigarettes like Rob mentioned. 

Most farmers got little or no help from the Government after Ian, so I'm sure Hector had to spend some serious coin, or find some debt to get his facilities rebuilt. He needed a good harvest this year and it looks like he got it. A good second harvest will go a long way towards digging out of the hole. Hopefully the weather continues to cooperate and this second harvest generates good results. 

[Fugu]

Many thanks Cory, for the detailed response! That explains a lot to me. Hector is a brave man. Hopefully he gets through with his second attempt, keeping my fingers crossed for him! 🤞

[Glass Half Full]

Appreciating the discussion and updates from you all.