Flue-Cured Tobacco Cooperative Stabilization Corporation -- often referred to as Stabilization -- represents farmers on the world market with supplies of superior quality, aged flue-cured (Virginia) leaf which is processed and ready for manufacturing.

Our Tradition of Quality and Commitment to Excellence is earned by the careful way we process, store, protect and sell leaf. Our reputation of being a supplier of flue-cured tobacco, grown with pride in the USA, is established by over 50 years of buyer satisfaction.

Tobacco has contributed to the growth and development of the United States for over 375 years. From the colonial era to the present, tobacco has been a driving force in our national economy. The same enterprising spirit that guided the first commercial tobacco growers in Jamestown, Virginia in 1612, continues our Tradition of Quality.

The farmers' commitment to excellence begins on flue-cured tobacco farms located in the states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. On these farms, nature provides the climate and soils that produces the flavor and aroma found only in U.S. tobaccos.

...In Receiving -- Stabilization's Auction Warehouse Division personnel supervise the contractual agreements with auction warehouse operators to provide growers full benefits of price support at the time of auction. These personnel determine the soundness of tobacco that Stabilization receives, expediting movement of tobacco to processing facilities.

...In Processing -- Our leaf is handled with a great deal of care. When Stabilization tobacco arrives at the processing plant it is regraded by USDA graders. As determined by regrading, original grades assigned on the auction market may be changed up, down or remain the same in order to insure a proper packing grade is assigned. Commodity Credit Corporation of the USDA makes funds available to Stabilization to purchase tobacco that meets a USDA supported grade standard and the tobacco stands as collateral on the loan. As a protective measure on the value of the tobacco collateral, CCC requires Stabilization to have all tobacco receipts regraded by USDA.

Tight quality control measures are imposed throughout the entire operation of classifying U.S. standard grades into strip grades, cleaning, picking, threshing, redrying and packing into fiberboard cases. Quality control insures the uniformity of grades and the quality of workmanship. Specially trained personnel supervise each step of the processing of Stabilization's receipts to insure adherence to our quality control measures and specifications. Stabilization's processing specifications have satisfied major cigarette manufacturer's for over fifty years. Specifications are analyzed on an annual basis and changes are made when necessary to conform with changes in manufacturing. Specifications are available upon request.

Processing of the current Stabilization tobacco inventory was contracted out to the facilities of Dimon, Inc., Export Leaf Tobacco Company, Standard Commercial Tobacco Company, and Universal Leaf Tobacco Company.

We assure every purchaser that all stocks will meet the official U.S. Department of Agriculture grade standards. We offer the world trade a year-round supply of quality, flue-cured leaf from our inventories.

...In Storing -- Our fiberboard cases are stored only in closely inspected, approved facilities. Because time and Mother Nature are still the best way to age leaf, the climate of the United States is generally recognized as perfectly suited for tobacco storage and aging. This storage process enhances the unique flavor, aroma and mellowness that is characteristic of U.S. grown flue-cured (Virginia) tobacco. To maintain quality, regular monitoring of storage conditions are conducted at all storage facilities.

Stabilization's average inventory of U.S. flue-cured tobacco strips and by-products is around 27,215 MT. At the conclusion of each marketing season, prices are established for each grade of new leaf received, and prices of aged inventories are reviewed.  We will be pleased to submit information to any domestic or international purchaser on prices, conditions of sales, deferred payment agreements and any other data relative to leaf stocks. Samples of any grade are available upon request at no charge. Please contact the following: