In a significant move to support the Italian agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry (Masaf) and Manifatture Sigaro Toscano (MST) have renewed a protocol of understanding aimed at strengthening the Italian Kentucky tobacco supply chain. This decade-long agreement, valued at approximately 250 million euros, marks a pivotal step towards ensuring the sustainability and continuity of one of Italy's most iconic agricultural products.
The agreement, signed in Lucca, commits MST to purchasing at least 2,200 tons of Kentucky tobacco annually, cultivated in Italy, with an estimated value of around 25 million euros per year. This initiative not only underscores the importance of the tobacco sector to the Italian economy but also highlights the government's commitment to providing stability and certainty to farmers and small to medium-sized enterprises within the agricultural supply chains.
Present at the signing were Undersecretary Patrizio La Pietra, MST CEO Stefano Mariotti, and the presidents of Italy's main tobacco associations. Following the signing, a technical roundtable was held to discuss strategies for the future of the sector. The discussions focused on modernizing the supply chain, adopting digital technologies, and optimizing production costs, ensuring the sector's competitiveness on both a national and international level.
This agreement is part of a broader effort by Masaf to support various agricultural sectors, as directed by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida. By providing long-term economic and operational certainty, the initiative aims to enable farmers and businesses to plan their activities and investments more effectively, thereby benefiting workers and securing the future of the Italian tobacco supply chain. The deal also reflects MST's ongoing commitment to the sector, building on previous multi-year agreements with the ministry since 2013.
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