Tuesday, September 26, 2017

NC: Wilson still tops in tobacco

Via Cousin John

Business is conducted around bales of tobacco at the Big M Tobacco warehouse in Wilson last week. Wilson is still considered to be the undisputed leader in tobacco sales in the country and a major player on the world market. Drew C. Wilson | Times

Tobacco may be on track to regain the top-earner spot among Wilson County’s agricultural crops this year, surpassing sweet potatoes, greenhouses and nurseries.

Growers have benefited from good weather, resulting in a high-quality leaf to offer buyers.

In 2016, greenhouses and nurseries earned nearly $48 million to take the top position, but a reorganization at Gardens Alive, formerly Zelenka, the largest nursery in the county, may mean sales could be lower while the business rebuilds. Sweet potatoes earned $44.3 million in 2016, but prices have been lower due to high numbers of potatoes on the market and lower demand.

Tobacco had $37 million in 2016 sales due in large part to less than optimum-quality leaf from poor weather conditions.

More with video @ The Wilson Times

2 comments:

  1. I still remember being stationed at Monford Point Camp Lejeune after a tough workout in the summer of 1961. The platoon sergeant bellowing: "The smoking lamp is lit, Smoke 'em if you got 'em". A carton at the time was: $2.00 a carton.

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    1. "Smoke 'em if you got 'em".

      How well I remember. Same phraseology in military school.

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