Between 20 to 25 per cent of North Carolina’s tobacco harvest has been destroyed by the recent hurricane, WFAE reported.

Tobacco farmers in North Carolina are reporting heavy losses after Hurricane Dorian and, consequently, the state’s tobacco industry has also been affected. David Thomas, from the U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, was quoted as saying, “It is taking a toll on the tobacco production in North Carolina and the last three years have been really stressful on tobacco farmers.”
The damage has had a severe impact on farms in 15 counties across North Carolina, including Sampson and Duplin counties, where most of the state’s tobacco production takes place, according to WFAE.
However, it is difficult for farmers to prepare for hurricanes without causing further damage to their crops. Thomas told WFAE, “The tobacco has to reach a certain ripeness before you pull it, because if you pull it too soon then the leaves will be immature and it will be less desirable.” In addition to damaging the farms themselves, hurricanes also create storm surges, which then carry salt inland and further damage the quality of the tobacco plants.
In previous years, tobacco farmers would normally use the whole of September to finishing harvesting, but, according to WFAE, many farmers will not be able to finish their harvest this year. Those who grow other crops, such as sweet potatoes, will have to rely on those for income instead.