REUTERS: Production of finest tobacco leaf down 14 percent / Cigar production, export earnings off sharply / Industry draws on inventory
HAVANA - Global economic woes and the worldwide spread of smoking bans are taking their toll on Cuba's famous cigar industry, with the just-completed harvest of the country's finest tobacco down 14 percent over 2009, local media said on Monday.
In westernmost Pinar del Rio, home of Cuba's most famous tobacco, the harvest came in at 22.4 million leaves, down from 26 million in 2009, according to Guerrillero, the province's Communist party weekly.
The area's tobacco is used as wrapper leaf and part of the filling in Cuba's prized cigar brands, including Cohiba, Montecristo, Trinidad and Partagas.
"There was a reduction in planting due to limitations in resources caused by the economic crisis," the weekly said.
Cuba's premium cigars dominate the world market with 70 percent of sales. >>> Marc Frank; Editing: Jeff Franks and Will Dunham | Monday, June 21, 2010
