Tobacco Trip

[minusver]

A friend of mine and I are interested in taking a trip to the Dominican to source a tobacco farm or buy some land to start one of our own. Can someone give me an idea on the cost of:
1) Buying 5 acres of farmland that would be conducive to farming tobacco.
2) Sourcing tobacco manufacture from an established farmer in the area, such as how much to buy 5 acres worth of crop from a farmer there.

Also, if we were to take this trip, what airport should we try to fly into, and what areas in the country are the best for growing tobacco?

[jorgesarduysousa]

best part of the island would be Cibao Airport [STI]

[Cibaeno]

Definitely right: Santiago! You will get in the middle of Dominican tobacco production and cigar industry. Get in contact with Hillbilly, he is the expert for this issue!

[Tamborista]

Most of the factories are/were in Tamboril, good luck with this venture with the new tax on cigars! Based on your post, you are better off buying cigars and putting your own rings on them.

tambo'

[Hillbilly]

As I said in an earlier post, this takes deep pockets. I would advise against it.

However, send me a PM and I'll try and help you. This is a very, very delicate business. I'll be frank and tell you anyone can make cigars. Many can sell cigars. Few ever collect on what they sell....You need very deep pockets to get into any aspect of tobacco: farming, processing, wholesaling, cigar manufacture...etc.

HB

[Libber]

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I know a good deal about this subject. I'm an American who has had a farm here for nearly a dozen years, know the tobacco /cigar business and has lived here steady for the past 5 years.

Feel free to get in touch with me directly with a private message. HB's advise is correct generally, but I'll be happy to answer particular questions.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure. Many tobacco/cigar people will soon want to be your good friend. ;-)

[Hillbilly]

Oh Libber, you take the joy out of educating the fellow....

HB

[Libber]

HB:

They should start like the rest of us … first come to study a broad, concentrating on extracurricular activities, if it’s a screw’n their looking for.
As you’ve noted, they will be paying hefty tuition if they don’t first audit before matriculating in the DR tobacco school of hard knocks. Don’t think to enroll in a Tobacco Institute short course, either. One will likely find it more edifying than one can handle before first learning the ropes, and result in too quickly graduating with the degree: Pendejo Con Licencia.

I imagine your survey course and seminar has these chapters in the syllabus.

[as982]

Hi I'm searching for a farm company that could supply me with Connecticut Shade wrapper leaves. I have been searching for an extensive period of time now but have had no luck. Does anyone hear know of a certain company that would be able to assist me? Preferably in the Dominican Republic but I am open to other locations as well. Thank you very much.