Burley Tobacco Farmers See Best Paydays in Years

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Burley tobacco farmers in Kentucky and Tennessee are seeing their best paydays since plunging into the free market. Tight leaf supplies and a quality crop that bounced back after this summer’s drought are bringing burley growers nearly $2 per pound.

University of Kentucky agricultural economist Will Snell says those prices almost match what farmers saw in 2004, which was the last year they sold tobacco under federal production and price controls. The higher prices come after several years of sluggish prices, higher production costs and uncertain demand.