In what countries and regions is much of tobacco farming done and are most cigarettes produced? How has the tobacco/cigarette industry affected those countries or regions?
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Malawi
In the past decade, Malawi has become one of the world's five largest tobacco producing countries. According to the UN's statistical division, more than 98% of Malawi's low-cost tobacco leaf is exported, with Europe and the United States as prime destinations. Also, more than 90% of Malawi's tobacco is bought by two US-based leaf buyers, Universal Corporation and Alliance One International, from which it is then resold to international tobacco firms. The main companies partnered with Malawi are two of the world's biggest cigarette manufacturers, Philip Morris (Marlboro) and British American Tobacco (Lucky Strike). As a result, Malawi's tobacco is found in the blend of almost all cigarettes smoked in the west.
Large Tobacco and Cigarette Companies and Producers
BAT (British America Tobacco), Philip Morris, China National Tobacco Company, Imperial Tobacco and Japan Tobacco are five companies who collectively earned $300bn in 2008. This is more money than the GDP of all but 40 countries worldwide. In 2010, cigarettes were produced in the majority of countries worldwide, and about a million cigarettes were manufactured every five seconds. Also in 2010, 41% of the world’s cigarettes were produced in China, followed by Russia (7%), the US (6%), Germany (4%), and Indonesia (3%).
United States
Despite the large decrease in U.S. tobacco production since the 1950s, the United States continues to be a leading producer of tobacco. In 2007, four countries (China, Brazil, India, and the United States) produced two-thirds of the world's tobacco. In the United States, in 2007, tobacco was produced in 16 states. The states that products the most tobacco were Kentucky and North Carolina, accounting for 71% of tobacco grown in the United States. Also, in the United States, the number of tobacco-growing farms declined from more than 500,000 in the 1950s to about 10,000 in 2007.
Despite the large decrease in U.S. tobacco production since the 1950s, the United States continues to be a leading producer of tobacco. In 2007, four countries (China, Brazil, India, and the United States) produced two-thirds of the world's tobacco. In the United States, in 2007, tobacco was produced in 16 states. The states that products the most tobacco were Kentucky and North Carolina, accounting for 71% of tobacco grown in the United States. Also, in the United States, the number of tobacco-growing farms declined from more than 500,000 in the 1950s to about 10,000 in 2007.