Tobacco stands out in rural succession and surpasses the agricultural average

The tobacco production chain boasts one of the highest family succession rates in the field, in stark contrast to the reality of Brazilian agriculture. According to a survey conducted by Cepa/UFRGS in 2023, 68,2% of tobacco farmers in the Southern Region report having a designated successor within their family—a percentage well above the national average.

The results were presented today (26/9), during a meeting of the Subcommittee for the Defense of the Tobacco Sector and Monitoring of COP 11, held at the City Council of Candelária (RS). The meeting brought together political leaders, representative entities and rural producers.

According to SindiTabaco president Valmor Thesing, who presented the data, tobacco farming has a greater capacity for retaining successors due to the profitability of the activity and the integrated production model. "While in Brazil only 30% of farms reach the second generation and only 5% make it past the third, tobacco has much higher rates, which ensures continuity and income for thousands of families," he emphasized.

In addition to demonstrating greater stability in succession, the survey found that 41,8% of young people who intend to remain on their farms will continue growing tobacco, while 24,2% will not continue, and 34,1% have yet to decide. Another notable statistic is income: almost 80% of tobacco farmers are in social strata A and B, well above the national average.

Despite the strong performance, the sector is monitoring developments in the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) with concern. Thesing warned that international measures that are not adapted to Brazilian realities could jeopardize competitiveness, amid growing advances by competing countries, many of which rely heavily on government subsidies.

The meeting in Candelária was part of a series of regional meetings organized by the Rio Grande do Sul State Legislative Assembly's subcommittee. The discussions will result in a report that should inform institutional actions and negotiations regarding the tobacco sector in Brazil.