Tobacco exports fell to 37,000 tons last year from 110,000 tons in 2008, a decline of 66 per cent that a farm ministry official blamed on lower quality and slumping demand, the Jakarta Post reported.

Gamal Nasir, director general for plantations at the Agriculture Ministry, reportedly said there was a danger Indonesia could become a net importer of tobacco. Exports mostly go to Malaysia, the US, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, according to the newspaper.