Davis, Tillis Push for Relief for North Carolina Tobacco Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) and Senator Thom Tillis (NC), joined by Congressmen David Rouzer (NC-07), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), and Tim Moore (NC-14) sent a letter to senior House and Senate appropriators calling for congressional leaders to ensure tobacco producers are included in any future agricultural disaster relief package, citing rising production costs, weakened export markets, drought conditions, and declining commodity prices that have placed significant financial strain on tobacco producers in North Carolina.

"North Carolina tobacco farmers are facing a perfect storm of economic pressures, and need urgent relief," said Congressman Davis. "Rising input costs, lost export markets, and lower prices are creating real challenges for farm families who work hard every day to support our agricultural economy. Any agricultural disaster assistance package should recognize the hardships facing tobacco producers and ensure they are not left behind."

The lawmakers cited an independent analysis by Dr. Jeffrey H. Dorfman, Hugh C. Kiger Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics at NC State University, showing that tobacco production costs increased by approximately 30 percent between 2021 and 2025, compared to an 18 percent increase across U.S. agriculture as a whole. According to the analysis, production costs rose from $4,148 per acre in 2021 to $5,398 per acre in 2025.

In their letter to senior House and Senate appropriators, the lawmakers argued that tobacco growers have faced a unique combination of economic challenges that warrant targeted relief. "We respectfully urge the inclusion of tobacco in any disaster or supplemental agricultural relief legislation currently under consideration, or that could come together during the rest of the 119th Congress. Specifically, we request that eligibility criteria account for the full scope of losses suffered by tobacco producers, including disproportionate input cost inflation driven by increased labor costs and suppressed prices resulting from reduced export demand," said the lawmakers. "Tobacco farm families have played a vital economic role in rural communities across North Carolina, the Southeast, and beyond for generations. They deserve the same recognition and support being extended to other commodity producers facing hardship."

The full letter is available HERE.