PART 11.
Propuction :
The production of tobacco in the Union of South Africa was as
follows : —
1919 on a iE 14,182,929 lbs.
1920 ts tm hl 11,644,300 lbs.
1921 a eh 16,620,640 lbs.
1922 £0 ia 5 9,813,000 lbs.
1923 i ty be 9,671,000 lbs
1924 ae ed 10,590,263 lbs.
1925 and 1926"... 3 (not available yet.)
The average production in the various Provinces for the years
1911 to ‘1923 was as follows:
Transvaal ih 3 6,887,311 lbs.
Cape Province ... | ... 4,013,483 lbs.
Natal file eta 867,507 1bs.
Orange Free State . ... 510.380 lbs.
The amount of Turkish leaf produced in 1924 was 816,009 Ibs.
The local consumption is estimated at about 12,000,000 to 13,000,000
annually.
CREATING A DEMAND.
The flavour and aroma of Union grown tobacco are peculiar and,
as a rule, do not appeal to the consumer who is unaccustomed to
them. If this tobacco is placed on the overseas markets in sufficient
quantities to develop a taste for it an increased demand would
stimulate production. On the other hand, the methods of preparation
in the Union are practically unknown to the overseas buyer, and to
a large extent the article is not, as yet, put up in such a form as to
lend itself readily for selling overseas. It is almost certain that if
the demand from British markets were increased the crop would be
prepared as suits the demand. Txcellent pipe tobaccos and cigarettes
are manufactured in the Union for which there is a ready local
demand. By the manufacture of South African tobaccos in Great
Britain a similar demand can be created over there, and all the more
readily if'blended to suit the existing taste. Certain defects can be
found in our tobacco, but these will be remedied as the industry
progresses and the grower understands the requirements of the
overseas markets.
The majority of the tobacco growers in the Union are now well
organised for the preparation of the crop for market and the sale of
their product. With the compulsory Co-operative Act whereby all
growers in defined areas are now compelled to sell their tobacco crop
through a co-operative society, and whereby greater stability in prices
is assured, new life has come to the tobacco growers and a greatly
increased acreage under tobacco can confidently be looked forward to.
There is undoubtedly a bright future for the tobacco industry in South
Africa. Growers are showing their confidence in the future’ of this
industry by increasing their acreages. It is expected that the output
for the coming season will be at least 409, greater than that of the
previous season.
At present one of the chief needs of South Africa is an extension
of trade’ within the Empire. From this point of view the tobacco
industry is particularly rich ir the potential advantages which it offers.

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