San Juan economic plan and Tabacalera El Artista partner for tobacco harvest

The Plan for the Economic Development of San Juan Province (Plan San Juan) has announced a strategic agreement with Tabacalera El Artista for the 2026-2027 tobacco harvest. The partnership aims to establish San Juan as a self-sustaining tobacco hub by utilizing local raw materials, which is expected to reduce transportation costs from the Cibao region.

Under the agreement, Tabacalera El Artista will provide direct purchase contracts to local farmers. These contracts will serve as collateral for agricultural loans through the Banco Agrícola. The initiative is projected to increase direct employment in the province from 300 to 800 positions.

Elias Ramirez, president of the southern tobacco producers association, noted that tobacco cultivation is gaining significant momentum in the San Juan Valley. He highlighted that the industry is supported by the national government through the Tobacco Institute and local initiatives like Plan San Juan. Major companies currently processing the region's harvest include El Artista, La Aurora, and Tabaco del Sur.