Brazil and Tobacco
The history of tobacco in Brazil is fascinating and plays an important role in the country's economy. Brazil is the largest exporter of tobacco in the world, and this journey began after the country's discovery, being affected by two wars and contributing to the empowerment and independence of women in the state of Bahia.
The History
During the colonial period, Brazil was a colony of Portugal and could not establish tobacco factories. It was only in 1842 that Portuguese entrepreneur Francisco José Cardoso opened the first tobacco factory in Brazil. This inauguration marked the beginning of industrial cigar production in the country.
The success of cigar production was so great that in 1906, upon learning that Pope Pius X was a connoisseur, the Bahian factory Stender & Cia created a cigar in his honor, demonstrating the importance and influence of this product in society.
Cuban Revolution
The history of tobacco in Brazil was also influenced by the Cuban Revolution, which led to Cuban immigration to Brazil initiating a new phase in the production of premium cigars in the country. This new Cuban influence brought a different aspect to Brazilian cigar production, adding unique expertise and knowledge of this special culture.
Reconcavo Baiano
The Recôncavo Baiano, where this important cigar-producing region is located, has a total area of 5.2 thousand square kilometers. The climate is semi-arid, with annual temperatures ranging from 32°C to 14°C, similar to the climate found in regions where tobacco for cigars is also grown in the Caribbean.
These specific climatic conditions, combined with the type of soil and tobacco cultivated in Brazil, especially in Bahia, give a unique character to the cigars produced in the Recôncavo.
The tradition of over 450 years of cigar production in the region is evidence of the success and quality of this industry in Brazil. The tobacco sector employs around 25,000 people in the region, with a predominance of female labor. According to reports, there is a ratio of ten women to every man employed in the sector. This demonstrates the important role of women in this field and the economic independence that cigar production provides them.
​
