Welcome to Wilson County Tobacco Information Norman Harrell Agricultural Extension Agent

Tobacco has a long and rich history in Wilson County. Wilson is known as the "World's Greatest" Tobacco Market.   The Wilson Tobacco Market opened in 1890.  By 1919, the Wilson market earned the title of the America's largest flue-cured market. In the years that followed, Danville, Virginia and Greenville, N.C., gave Wilson a very close race. With the adoption of the Designation Plan in 1973 whereby tobacco producers choose the warehouse in which they wished to sell their allotted poundage - Wilson zoomed to a sales position that in some years resulted in the market selling two times as much tobacco as its nearest poundage competitors.

In 2004, there are 5,635 acres of flue-cured tobacco in the county. The 115th Wilson Tobacco Market opened on August 4. There has been significant changes in the way tobacco is currently marketed.  In 2004, there are three direct market contract receiving stations and one auction warehouse.  This year more than 80% of the tobacco in the county will be sold via direct purchasing contract.  In the late 1990's, Wilson had as many as 12 tobacco auction warehouses operating.  However, decreases in tobacco quota, baling tobacco in 750 lb bales, and direct company contracts are the main reason for the reduction in warehouses.  Contract receiving stations receive tobacco five days a week and the auction warehouse sales three days a week.

On-farm tests

Tobacco Information Links

This page was created by Norman Harrell, Agricultural Extension Agent.

Last revised: 08/09/04

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