Variations in Flue Cured Virginia Tobacco Export Performance of Different Regions of World: An Empirical Study

Tobacco has been a prime source of livelihood for millions of people and the tobacco industry is providing employment to 36 million people including 6 million farmers, engaged directly or indirectly in tobacco cultivation, processing, manufacturing grading, marketing and other allied activities. Indian tobacco industry is in a prominent place over the past six decades. India is world's second largest exporter of Flue cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco. The sustainability of Indian tobacco industry, especially FCV tobacco, mainly depends on exports. India is now facing stiff competition from many developing countries. The global exports of FCV tobacco fluctuated during the period under study. In the study period, India's FCV exports has wide fluctuations over the years. In unmanufactured tobacco exports the share of FCV tobacco constituted about 80 per cent. In the study period, there are wide fluctuations in India's FCV tobacco exports to all regions and within the regions except South and South East Asia. This region has some growth in exports.