After dominating domestic tobacco cultivation, Extremadura faces its real test: more hectares, more kilos, and more uncertainty

Tobacco planting season has started in Extremadura with 6,496 hectares planned, nearly 7% more than last year.

Buyers such as Oitab and Cetarsa have contracted more tobacco, pointing to a larger crop this season.

Even so, farmers face higher costs for fertilizer, fuel and other inputs, plus tighter limits on crop protection products.

The big question is whether the expanded acreage will translate into more kilos and better income for growers.