Web Summary
Q1: Where was Socotab founded?
A1: Socotab was founded in 1923 in Antwerp, Belgium.
Q2: What is the company's primary focus?
A2: The company has exclusively specialized in Oriental tobaccos since its inception and continues to do so today.
Q3: Who is Socotab's partner in the global leaf tobacco supplier market?
A3: In 1998, Socotab partnered with Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Inc. (NYSE: UVV), which is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier headquartered in Richmond, VA, USA.
Q4: How many individual farming partners does Socotab source its product from?
A4: Socotab sources its product from more than 35,000 individual farming partners located in Turkey, North Macedonia, Greece, and Bulgaria.
Q5: What is the process of seedbed preparation for growing Oriental tobacco?
A5: The process involves preparing raised seedbeds, disinfecting soil, and sowing seeds by hand. The seedbeds are then covered or uncovered depending on weather conditions, and irrigation is started daily to promote germination.
Q6: What is the curing process for Oriental tobacco?
A6: The curing process involves hanging harvested leaves under canopies in the open air to wilt, followed by storage in stacks or hung from the roof. The time for curing varies depending on weather conditions and leaf position.
Q7: How does Socotab ensure quality control in its products?
A7: Socotab has dedicated teams of skilled agronomists and field technicians who assess the quality of tobacco according to pre-agreed scales of prices. Quality checks are performed after receiving the tobacco, followed by individual recipe creation to meet customer blend requirements.
Q8: What is the company's approach to supporting its farming partners?
A8: Socotab invests time, energy, and money in ensuring its partners implement best practices in agro-chemical usage, environmental protection, and labor issues, such as preventing child labor. The company standardizes educational material across countries to promote these best practices.
Q9: What is the significance of Oriental tobacco in comparison to other main varieties?
A9: Oriental tobacco is special due to its unique growing conditions, seed-type, and curing process, which create a distinct aroma in the leaf that is smaller than other main varieties.
Q10: How does Socotab's infrastructure support its operations?
A10: Socotab Frana SA acts as the commercial, operational, and financial center of the Socotab Group, with three factories in Turkey and North Macedonia handling tobaccos grown by their partners.