​A Kentucky Tradition

            I bet you are wondering just how much tobacco Kentucky produces each year. Well in 2011 Kentucky produced about 262 million pounds of tobacco, which is around 130,000 acres (“A Look at Kentucky Agriculture” 2011). Even though Kentucky is second in total tobacco production they are actually first in burley tobacco production and Lexington is the world’s largest burley tobacco market (“A Look,” 2011). Located in Lexington is the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association. The Board of Directors represents concerns and addresses tobacco issues at the local, state, national, and world levels. The Burley Co-op is the voice for burley tobacco farmers in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, and West Virginia.

            Tobacco plays an important role in Kentucky’s economy. Tobacco is the most profitable crop per acre in the United States. On average, tobacco produces 2200-2500 pounds per acre and over the past 3-4 years tobacco prices have been on the rise and are roughly around $2.00 per pound right now. But the average production cost of growing tobacco is $1.17 per pound (“Tobacco Management: Optimizing Profits”). This may seem like a lot but this cost includes fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide chemicals, fuel, and labor. After you factor these costs in a net profit per acre would be $1800-$2000. This is still more profitable than corn, soybeans, and wheat.