Discovering NC Agriculture is a social media series focusing on N.C. grown, raised, caught, and made commodities. Originally started in 2025, this series has been renewed to run for another year! Tune in each month to see how an N.C. commodity is grown, harvested, packed for consumer use and more. Learn nutritional value, find fun recipes to try, hear from local chefs who use that product, and other unique commodity facts throughout the series. We look forward to helping you better understand some of our N.C. commodities and how they impact your everyday lives!
North Carolina is the top tobacco producing state in the nation, harvesting over 260 million pounds annually. Did you know that tobacco is not only important domestically, but it is also one of the largest crops that is shipped internationally from our state? Flue cured tobacco was developed in our state, and we are still known for producing the highest quality and flavor in the world. Today, North Carolina grows over 90% of the flue cured tobacco produced in the United States.
Throughout history, tobacco has been the backbone of our state’s agricultural heritage, employing many workers in farming, processing, manufacturing, logistics, wholesale, retail outlets and related industries. Today, North Carolina is home to 822 tobacco farms, with the industry sustaining more than 200,000 jobs. “In 2025, the farmgate value of tobacco production in our state was over $550 million,” said Cathy Ma, Assistant Director for International Marketing at the NCDA&CS. “In fact, tobacco and related products contribute $12.7 billion in economic impact and $36 billion in output to North Carolina.” Over 95% of tobacco produced in our state is flue-cured tobacco, which is in high-demand all over the world for its golden-yellow color and flavorful profile. “In 2025, we exported more than $447 million worth of processed flue-cured tobacco,” Cathy said. “Out of all the tobacco grown across North Carolina, two in every three rows grown is exported.” To date, North Carolina tobacco is shipped to 36 countries around the world.
North Carolina farmers that export a portion or all of their tobacco crop have unique specifications for quality, color, aroma, particle size, moisture content, and other characteristics they must meet each year. “Each country implements different production, inspection, importation, fumigation, phytosanitary, packing and shipping requirements, which may not be required for tobacco used domestically,” Cathy said. “Tobacco contracts between farmers and buyers normally list quality standards and production requirements from the customers, so all expectations are laid out and clear from the beginning.” Tobacco was our nation’s first export crop and export opportunities remain important for tobacco farmers in our state.
After it is harvested, it takes about a week to “cure” tobacco to be sold, taking the leaves from green to that signature “brightleaf” color. “After curing, tobacco is then blended to meet customer specifications and threshed to remove the stem from the leaf,” Cathy said. “Then, it’s often further processed to produce strips of tobacco before it is re-dried to remove excessive moisture, giving it a longer shelf life in storage.” Once the tobacco is ready to be shipped to international customers, it is packed into cartons lined with perforated polyethylene bags, inspected by USDA APHIS inspectors, and fumigated before being taken to the port. “Inspectors are required to sample the tobacco products and examine them for seeds, non-tobacco related materials, and other items to grant phytosanitary certification,” Cathy said. “Once the tobacco passes inspection, many countries require additional steps before being loaded onto the ship for transport.” All processed tobacco must be transported in undamaged, clean, and hygienic food-grade 20-foot or 40-foot standard shipping containers.
When tobacco arrives at a port overseas, it is inspected by local customers for pests and quality before being moved to a local processing facility where it is re-dried, graded, and pressed into cases. “Tobacco is often stored for several months or years overseas, which gives it time to age and improve in flavor,” Cathy said. “Once aged, it goes to manufacturers.” All finished tobacco products are distributed by wholesalers and distributors to retailers worldwide.
“Our job in International Marketing is to provide motivation and support for N.C. agricultural companies so that they can export and have global access,” Cathy said. “I am proud to promote all commodities grown, raised, caught or made in North Carolina, including tobacco, to overseas markets and help increase both farm gate value and brand equity for N.C. agribusinesses.”
Although tobacco is a huge international cash crop for North Carolina, farmers in our state also export a variety of other crops each year, including sweet potatoes, corn, soybeans and meat/poultry products. “Every agricultural product produced in North Carolina represents a vital link in the agricultural value chain,” Cathy said. “All crops are extremely valuable, and many have international export market opportunity.” We are so proud of all that Cathy and her team in International Marketing are doing to promote N.C. agriculture across the world. Be sure to keep an eye out for local products during your next trip overseas and do your part to help spread the word on all things grown, raised, caught, and/or made in North Carolina!
