The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has confirmed that despite the onset of the rainy season as declared by PAGASA, tobacco trading remains fully operational nationwide.

According to NTA, trading centers for flue-cured Virginia tobacco in Ilocos will remain open until June 30. If there is excess tobacco beyond this date, the NTA can request trading centers to accommodate the additional supply.

The highest buying price for flue-cured Virginia tobacco can go up to P130.00 per kilo, depending on the quality of the leaves. NTA has identified Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. (ULPI), Trans Manila Inc. (TMI), and Continental Leaf Tobacco Philippines Inc. (Conleaf) as the trading centers open in the Ilocos provinces.

Meanwhile, trading for burley and native tobacco in Regions 1, 1,2, 3, and CAR will conclude on August 31, 2025. The reported highest buying prices are P118.00 per kilo for burley tobacco and P175.00 per kilo for native Batek tobacco.

Aside from ULPI, other companies purchasing burley and native tobacco include Pentaleaf in Cagayan Valley, Antonio and Josefina Trading Center (A&J TC), and John Medriano Trading Center (JMTC) in La Union.

NTA also mentioned that farmers in Mindanao sell their native Batek tobacco at the local "Tabo Market." As of June 4, 2025, there are 59,242 registered tobacco farmers in the country cultivating 32,503 hectares of tobacco.

NTA Administrator and CEO Belinda Sanchez expressed optimism that farmers would earn more this season due to the high buying prices. The current prices at trading centers are higher than the approved tobacco floor prices.

NTA shared the latest approved tobacco floor prices for various classes of tobacco, which are adjusted every two years through a tripartite forum involving farmers, traders, and manufacturers. The agency emphasized that tobacco is a crucial cash crop in the Philippines, providing income for numerous families and supporting rural economies.

NTA is authorized to set and fix tobacco floor prices through tripartite consultative conferences as mandated by various Presidential Decrees. Currently, over 2.2 million Filipinos, including more than 430,000 farmers, farmworkers, and their families, rely on tobacco for financial support.