Some Interesting Tobacco Industry Statistics

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

This may come off as harsh... I really don't intend it that way. I support your God given right to express yourself with words.

But...

If somebody said the tobacco industry is growing they lied.

If somebody believes them, maybe that was a mistake.

If somebody continues to believe that and argue that it's true... Then there may be no reasoning with that person.

 

[Steddy]

These statistics punch a hole in the delusions that the business of pipe tobacco is sustainable as-is. It will likely collapse within the lifetime of many members of this forum.

I don’t know about this, there is a CDC report that says while tobacco use in general is down, pipe tobacco is a growing market. Is it growing enough to off set the decline in cigarettes? Time will tell I guess. 20-Year Trends in Tobacco Sales and Self-Reported Tobacco Use in the United States, 2000–2020 - https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/21_0435.htm

 

[Steddy]

So if cigarettes are in decline and pipe tobacco is a growing market, where do the farmers fit into this.

 

[AndyNJ]

pipe tobacco not growing according to this file, significant decline coinciding with Covid and not recovered

 

[Scottmi]

Asking my Rabbit R1 what CAGR of inflation in the USA has been from 2020 to Nov 2024 gave an answer of 4.3%... suggesting to me that the tobacco industry 'growth' is not keeping up with general cost increases...the squeeze is on.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

So if cigarettes are in decline and pipe tobacco is a growing market, where do the farmers fit into this.

Most tobacco is grown in corporate farms. There are still some small tobacco operations, but they usually have contracts before they even start farming.

Farming in general is not very lucrative. Most obstinately hold onto the lifestyle and go further into debt in all aspects of farming. It would help us if you guy would just pay more for your food. It would be appreciated.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

A couple of years ago, I leased some land in NC from these guys and grew some burley for my own use.

This is this year’s endeavors…

 

[woodsroad]

I don’t know about this, there is a CDC report that says while tobacco use in general is down, pipe tobacco is a growing market. Is it growing enough to off set the decline in cigarettes? Time will tell I guess. 20-Year Trends in Tobacco Sales and Self-Reported Tobacco Use in the United States, 2000–2020 - https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/21_0435.htm

Key phrase: “Self-reported”
It has become sufficiently unacceptable to smoke cigarettes that self-reporting is highly suspect, while pipe smoking is seen by it’s adherents as kewl. Remember, the highly inaccurate presidential election poll results were self-reported.

 

[Sigmund]

Im not a conspiracy theorist but I am still betting that "Industry growth" is twisted at best. Sure, maybe young guys are picking up the pipe for a while instead of vaping or whatever. Stating that it is growing can be true even if its increased from next to zero by .0001 percent. That is technically growth and sounds great on a web page. There is nothing to say any presumed growth is robust. Pointing it out as an industry sounds a lot better than telling share holders, "Our business is on life support".

Meanwhile, industry giants like Philip Morris have been quietly diversifying away from tobacco for decades.

On another note, I remember being young in KY. I had family who grew a small amount of tobacco. In those days a "Tobacco Stamp" or license to grow and sell tobacco was hard to get your hands on and coveted. I guess those days are gone too.

 

[woodsroad]

Remember that STG has to answer to it's shareholders, so yes, they will report growth.
When I worked in a hospital lab, reporting growth usually meant a round of antibiotics and a stern lecture.

 

[sablebrush52]

A couple of years ago, I leased some land in NC from these guys and grew some burley for my own use.

This is this year’s endeavors…
View attachment 356710

View attachment 356711
View attachment 356712

Are you sure that this is enough to get you through a month?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Are you sure that this is enough to get you through a month?

Oh, this isn't mine. This is their endeavor for this year. I only had 200 lbs several years ago. But... I may have to restock soon.

I just helped them rebuild parts of their barn. really nice folks.

 

[Steddy]

Hey Woodsroad, I’ll buy this infallible industry report for you, it’s only a cool $5,000. The price to you? You see to it that I have a lifetime supply of the OG Warhorse and a place to crash when I visit Philly. Smoking Pipe Market Size, Share, Trends | Forecast By 2031 - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/smoking-pipe-market-A16901

 

[anotherbob]

though don't forget that it saw an insane spike during the pandemic. Honestly wouldn't surprise me if the lines shared similarities to the rate that work places did back to the office orders. Pipes will survive the face of the industry might not. What we need is one of us to get famous and then get paparazzied all over town smoking a pipe while comely lasses ignore us and gaze at the pipe. That should get some interest in the activity.

 

[anotherbob]

I don’t know about this, there is a CDC report that says while tobacco use in general is down, pipe tobacco is a growing market. Is it growing enough to off set the decline in cigarettes? Time will tell I guess. 20-Year Trends in Tobacco Sales and Self-Reported Tobacco Use in the United States, 2000–2020 - https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2022/21_0435.htm

and don't forget how things like cellars ruin sales data. I just looked at my receipts I buy tobacco 2 or 3 times a year. Cig smokers buy them most days.

 

[Zamora]

I am more shocked that 33million pounds of pipe tobacco was produced in the US.
I've seen the barrels at La Poche and the videos from C&D... I assumed all pipe tobacco was produced somewhere in a room the size of a double car garage. Millions of pounds? That is way more than I would have guessed. But still, nowhere near cigarette or cigars... cigars are made in the US? I guess they mean those White Owls and such at gas stations?

Also, I notice that there is no significant drop in February of 2018. We lost 1/3rd of the pipe tobacco companies in the US, and yet the numbers don't reflect that. But, maybe I just don't know enough about these numbers.

Tampa and Miami still have a few places that produce hand rolled cigars

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Tampa and Miami still have a few places that produce hand rolled cigars

Oh yeh… we have one in Pensacola and New Orleans as well. I’ve been there to watch and buy… but, the ones I’ve been to, couldn’t possibly roll more than ten or so pounds a day. But, maybe Miami has a larger operation. I am totally ignorant of what’s in Miami.

 

[Zamora]

though don't forget that it saw an insane spike during the pandemic. Honestly wouldn't surprise me if the lines shared similarities to the rate that work places did back to the office orders. Pipes will survive the face of the industry might not. What we need is one of us to get famous and then get paparazzied all over town smoking a pipe while comely lasses ignore us and gaze at the pipe. That should get some interest in the activity.

We really do need more celebrity pipe smokers, all the celebrity cigar smokers did wonders for the cigar industry. I'm sure there's quite a few who aren't public about it.

 

[Zamora]

Oh yeh… we have one in Pensacola and New Orleans as well. I’ve been there to watch and buy… but, the ones I’ve been to, couldn’t possibly roll more than ten or so pounds a day. But, maybe Miami has a larger operation. I am totally ignorant of what’s in Miami.

As far as I know in Miami it's mostly a tourist attraction but in Tampa it's a larger scale

 

[NookersTheCat]

I wonder if the cessation of subsidies accelerated the decline in production.
It’s not surprising considering how many posts there have been that remarked on the loss of tobacco farming in their communities.

The McClellands actually cited this specifically in the press release when they closed. Actually they said that not only was it the primary reason they were closing (retirement age being a close 2nd) but also the singular reason they decided not to sell off the company/blending info, as they knew the lack of supply due to the old govt subsidy system getting scrapped meant they believed they nor anyone else would ever be able to achieve a quality acceptable of their label again.. especially when it came to American red Virginia's