Andorra Tobacco Classification Ends with 150,000kg of High-Quality Leaf Despite Challenges

Tobacco classification at Borda Mateu in Santa Coloma concluded on Friday with 150,000 kilograms of high-quality leaf weighed and assessed, aided by a season with minimal hail damage.

The process, which started on Monday, covered 125,000 kilograms at the facility, while 25,000 kilograms—mainly from Sant Julià fields—were processed on-site beforehand. Antoni Servat, the lead classifier with decades of experience, called the overall quality strong despite challenges. The crop will head to Italy for fermentation by a local company before sale to a Dutch cigar producer.

Servat credited near-absent hail for the success. "We've been lucky with almost no hail, which is very important," he said, noting optimal growth conditions. Southern parishes led production: Sant Julià topped contributions, followed by areas like Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany for richer colour and texture. Northern parishes, including La Massana and Ordino, produced viable but greener leaves of slightly lower quality.

Early issues arose with diseased plants imported from Spain, described as deteriorated from origin. Farmers replanted, losing about six weeks and yielding thinner, lighter leaves overall. "Some had to plant twice, leading to thinner leaves," Servat explained, though the final quality remained "very good, mostly first or second grade."

Working with a team of around 20, Servat said this year's results match those from a decade ago when conditions were favourable. He raised concerns about a lack of younger workers to ensure the sector's future.