Since 1947 Tobacco Associates has represented the growers' interest in the development of export markets for American flue-cured tobacco. By educating and servicing international buyers, Tobacco Associates increases the awareness of the superior quality of U.S. grown leaf tobacco and how these tobaccos improve the quality of cigarettes. Through cooperation with regional and national farm organizations, Tobacco Associates communicates the importance of the export market and its economic impact to the farm community.  Visit Tobacco Associates' website:  http://www.tobaccoassociatesinc.org/

Tobacco Associates provides educational and technical advice to international cigarette manufacturers who request assistance in the development of blended cigarettes utilizing U.S. flue-cured leaf. These programs assist manufacturers who desire to improve the quality of cigarettes by adding U.S. leaf.

These schools train international buyers and leaf experts in the superior quality of U.S. tobacco based on USDA/AMS official U.S. standards. Additional information is provided about the U.S. tobacco marketing system and the benefits of buying U.S. leaf.

Tobacco Associates' programs include personal meetings with current and prospective customers for U.S. tobacco. These meetings provide in-depth discussions concerning all aspects of US tobacco including the tobacco marketing system. Meetings with potential customers and competition monitoring are extremely beneficial in gathering pertinent information on the international tobacco trade.

Tobacco Associates sponsors visits to the U.S. tobacco area for international cigarette manufacturers and appropriate government officials who request information about the benefits of using U.S. tobacco and the merits of buying from a stable and reliable resource. Visits are arranged with key farm, government, and industry leaders to build a better understanding of the tobacco auction system and the requirements for purchasing, processing, packing and shipping tobacco from the U.S.

Tobacco Associates annually participates in several national and international trade fairs. Information is prepared and distributed to our international customers and officials in attendance. We also cooperate with farm and other tobacco organizations in an effort to promote a better understanding of the U.S. tobacco industry and to ensure a profitable tobacco program for U.S. growers.