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Philip Morris USA to buy burley tobacco in Pennsylvania and Maryland

Philip Morris USA (PM USA) reports it has signed an agreement with Trileaf Services LLC, which will act as the cigarette manufacturer’s newest tobacco-receiving station operator.

Trileaf will start signing contracts with farmers in Pennsylvania and Maryland to grow burley tobacco starting June 27.

“This will open up opportunities for us to work with tobacco growers in what could become a new part of the burley belt,” said Jeanette Hubbard, PM USA’s vice president of leaf, who oversees the company’s tobacco purchases. “The elimination of the quota system governing tobacco farming means growers who were unable to grow traditional burley tobacco will now have that option. We’re excited about the opportunity to work with them.”

Trileaf Services LLC will sign contracts exclusively for PM USA at its warehouse in New Holland, Pa. For many years, Trileaf has worked with growers who have raised other types of air-cured tobaccos, using techniques similar to those required for traditional burley tobacco. Farmers in that region interested in learning more about signing a burley contract with Philip Morris USA should call (717) 351-9221. Farmers in nearby Maryland should call (877) 3BURLEY.

PM USA has signed thousands of contracts with burley growers from traditional growing areas and continues to approach growers in those areas to sign more contracts. The company currently has 13 receiving stations used to purchase and receive burley tobacco in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia.

“We believe American tobacco is the highest quality in the world, and by expanding the area in which we buy it, we’ll be able to ensure we have a steady supply,” said Hubbard.

Last year, about 80 percent of the tobacco purchased by Philip Morris USA was grown in the United States. The company is the largest purchaser of burley tobacco grown in Kentucky and Tennessee.