Corrientes tobacco producers denounce fraudulent “phantom kilos”

Tobacco producers in Corrientes, Argentina, have raised allegations of fraudulent activity involving what they describe as “phantom kilos” of tobacco. Producers claim that certain individuals are registering significant sales volumes that cannot be justified by their actual cultivated land area. Some even allege that individuals who did not produce any tobacco during the campaign are appearing in records with large quantities of sold product.

These irregularities have placed the Provincial Tobacco Institute (IPT) under scrutiny, as the agency is responsible for monitoring crop locations and surfaces. Producers fear these discrepancies negatively impact the distribution of industry benefits, such as the “Caja Verde,” creating inequality between legitimate farmers and those benefiting from fraudulent records. The sector is calling for authorities and unions to increase transparency and impose sanctions if these irregularities are confirmed.