Where is China’s tobacco grown?Tobacco Distribution in China?

 China’s Tobacco Grow In These Places

The People’s Republic of China (China) is the largest tobacco producer in the world. In 1999, production of leaf tobacco was about 2.4 million tonnes, or nearly one-third of world output. Most tobacco was processed into cigarettes for domestic consumption. In 1998, total output of cigarettes reached about 83 billion packs (20 pieces/pack), representing more than 30 percent of world cigarette production. At present, China has become the largest tobacco consuming country in the world. Most of the tobacco is grown in mainland China, only few of them is exported.

Tobacco distribution is very wide in China. Henan(河南), Shandong（山东）, Yunnan（云南）, Gansu（甘肃）, Hunan（湖南） five provinces are important  tobacco production areas.

Henan（河南） province is the country’s largest flue-cured tobacco producing area, accounting for 1/3 of the country’s output, mainly distributed in Xuchang（许昌）, Nanyang（南阳）, Zhoukou（周口） and Zhumadian（驻马店.

Shandong（山东） flue-cured tobacco is mainly distributed along the jiaoji railway from Weixian（潍县） to Zibo（淄博）, with the most concentrated in Yidu（益都） and Linqu（临朐） in Changwei（昌潍）.

The of quality flue-cured tobacco in Yunnan province(云南省)  is the best, mostly distributed in Qujing（曲靖）, Yuxi（玉溪）, Zhaotong（昭通） and other places.

The southern tobacco region is different because of transplanting season. Thus, there are spring tobacco, summer tobacco, autumn tobacco and winter tobacco.

Southern China is dominated by spring tobacco. But in Guangdong province(广东省)，Fujian province(福建省) and other tropical areas still distributed some autumn tobacco and winter tobacco.

Introduction to China’s Major Tobacco-Growing Regions 

The Northeast tobacco-growing region (东北产烟区)

The Northeast tobacco-growing region is bordered by the Greater Khingan Range to the west, the Lesser Khingan Range to the north, the Changbai Mountains to the east, and extends to the Liaodong Peninsula and the plains of the Bohai Sea, covering most of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces. The main challenge in this region is insufficient heat due to its high latitude. With long and cold winters, the growing season is short, ranging from 100 to 120 days in the north and 140 to 180 days in the south. Most areas receive less than 3000 degrees of accumulated temperature above 10 degrees Celsius, with around 2000 degrees in the northern parts. Annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 800 millimeters, with more precipitation in the east and north, and frequent dry and windy weather in spring. The annual sunshine hours range from 2300 to 3000 hours, with a sunshine percentage of 50% to 60% or more. In the transitional zone between plains and mountains, the soil pH ranges from 5.9 to 6.3, with low salt content, making the soil conditions suitable for tobacco cultivation.

Based on differences in water and heat conditions and development directions, it is divided into three secondary regions:

  • Songnen Sanjiang Plain Sun-Cured Tobacco Region: This region mainly includes the Songhua River-Nen River Plain and the Sanjiang Plain downstream of the Songhua River, covering the central parts of Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces. Sun-cured tobacco cultivation accounts for 1.4% of the national total and 1.8% of the total production, with the planting area reaching 120,000 acres in recent years.
  • Liaoning Plain and Hilly Flue-Cured Tobacco Region: This region includes the central plains of Liaoning Province, the Liaoxi Corridor, and the Liaodong Peninsula. Flue-cured tobacco is mainly grown in counties such as Xifeng, Kaiyuan, Qingyuan Haicheng, Xingcheng, and Jinxi, with an area of about 50,000 acres.
  • Changbai Mountain Mountainous Flue-Cured and Sun-Cured Tobacco Region: This region includes the mountainous areas of southeastern Heilongjiang, eastern Jilin, and eastern Liaoning, as well as the hilly areas extending from the Changbai Mountains. It is the main production area of “Guandong tobacco” and has a history of tobacco cultivation of over 300 years. There are many famous sun-cured tobacco varieties. Currently, they are mainly distributed in Fengcheng and Kuandian in Liaoning Province, Yanji, Helong, Angu, Wangqing in Jilin Province, and Mudanjiang in Heilongjiang Province.

The northeastern tobacco-growing region produces a wide variety of sun-cured tobacco, collectively known as “Guandong tobacco,” which includes red sun-cured tobacco and yellow sun-cured tobacco. The flue-cured tobacco leaves are relatively thin, mostly lemon-yellow, with a bright luster, high sugar content, low nicotine content, a fragrance, some heterogeneity, moderate strength, and good aftertaste, suitable for use as filler tobacco for cigarettes.

Southwest Tobacco-Growing Region (西南部烟区)

The southwest tobacco-growing region is located in the southwestern part of China, including most parts of Yunnan Province, all of Guizhou Province, southern Sichuan, western Hunan, southwestern Hubei, and southwestern Guangxi. The vertical difference in climate is quite significant, with crops having anywhere from one to three harvests per year. In most areas, the accumulated temperature above 10 degrees Celsius exceeds 4500 degrees, with the Yunnan Plateau ranging from 3400 to 6000 degrees, the Guizhou Plateau from 4000 to 5000 degrees, and areas in northern Yunnan and southwestern Sichuan from 4000 to 7000 degrees. The average annual precipitation is around 1000 millimeters, with more in the east than the west, uneven distribution, and rainy summers. The annual sunshine percentage is around 50% in the west and lower than 30% in many areas of the east. The soil is predominantly red, yellow, or yellow-brown, acidic, or slightly acidic. Tobacco cultivation began early in this region, with the annual planting area of flue-cured tobacco accounting for about 20% of the national total.

Based on differences in water and heat conditions and development types, this tobacco-growing region is further divided into four secondary regions:

  • Dianxi Mountainous Flue-Cured and Sun-Cured Tobacco Region: Including most of Dali Prefecture, Chuxiong, the northern part of Dehong Prefecture in Yunnan, and most parts of Liangshan Prefecture in Sichuan. This area emerged as a new flue-cured tobacco region in the 1970s, with a planting area of 176,000 acres at that time. Most areas produce sun-cured tobacco, with Tengchong and Baoshan being particularly famous for red sun-cured tobacco.
  • Chuandian Plateau Mountainous Flue-Cured and Sun-Cured Tobacco Region: Including the northeastern part of Yunnan and the Bijie area in western Guizhou. Most areas mainly produce sun-cured tobacco, as the climate conditions are not suitable for flue-cured tobacco cultivation.
  • Xiangxi Hilly Guizhou Plateau Flue-Cured and Sun-Cured Tobacco Region: Including most parts of Guizhou Province, Xiangxi Hilly Region, southwestern Hubei, southwestern Hunan, and various counties in southern Sichuan. The region has a long history of flue-cured tobacco cultivation since the 1930s, with Guoding and Fuquan being particularly famous. The resources for sun-curing tobacco are abundant, with Huishui and Dushan in Guizhou, Fenghuang in Xiangxi, and Mayang being important sources of fragrance for mixed-type cigarettes.
  • Yunnan Plateau Flue-Cured and Sun-Cured Tobacco Region: Including the central part of Yunnan, the Nanbei Panjiang Basin in Guizhou, the western Guangxi Right Tributary, and the Hongshui River Basin. Yuxi and Jiangchuan are known for their high-quality tobacco leaves, which are indispensable raw materials for premium cigarettes. The resources for sun-curing tobacco are also abundant, such as the Bada River sun-cured tobacco in Luoping and Shizong in Yunnan, the Datun River sun-cured tobacco in Cetang, and the Baijin sun-cured tobacco in Xilin, which all have high industrial utilization value.

Northwest Tobacco-Growing Region (北部西部烟区)

This region extends from the Lesser Khingan Mountains in Heilongjiang Province to the west, through the Greater Khingan Mountains, along the southern edge of the Mongolian Plateau, along the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, to the southwestern border of the Hengduan Mountains in Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County. It includes western and northern parts of Heilongjiang, western parts of Jilin, Inner Mongolia, most parts of Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Tibet, and western parts of Sichuan and northwestern Yunnan. Cultivation of Huanghua tobacco has a long history in this region, with most areas being self-sufficient in production. Lanzhou Shuixi He Xinjiang Huanghe tobacco has a relatively strong commercialization, forming a relatively concentrated production area.

In the northern and western parts of the tobacco-growing region, the altitude in the Xiaoxing’an Mountains is high, with a soil freezing period of over half a year, accumulated temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius ranging from 1300 to 2200 degrees, and a frost-free period of only 80 to 120 days. Insufficient heat limits the development of ordinary tobacco. The northern and western parts of the Inner Mongolian Plateau, as well as parts of Gansu and Xinjiang, are located far from the ocean and have a dry climate, with most areas receiving less than 100 millimeters of precipitation and high evaporation. Many areas are windy and unsuitable for the cultivation of various types of tobacco, including Huanghua tobacco. However, some areas in Gansu, Ningxia, Xinjiang, and other regions have relatively good heat conditions, with accumulated temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius ranging from 2600 to 4300 degrees. However, the climate is dry, with most areas receiving less than 100 millimeters of precipitation and evaporation reaching up to 2000 millimeters. The soil is generally salinized to varying degrees, unsuitable for the cultivation of ordinary tobacco but suitable for the cultivation of Huanghua tobacco. The average altitude on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is above 4000 meters, with a dry climate, accumulated temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius below 2000 degrees, a short frost-free period, and unsuitable for cultivating tobacco. Only a few areas can cultivate Huanghua tobacco.

Southern Tobacco Growing Region (南部烟区)

The Southern Tobacco Growing Region includes southeastern Fujian, Taiwan, southern Guangdong, southern Guangxi, and southern Yunnan. Situated on the southern slope of the Chinese mainland, the terrain undulates in a wave-like pattern. The approximate northern boundary of this region corresponds to the boundary between the South Asian and Central Asian subtropical zones. It boasts the most favorable water and heat conditions nationwide, characterized by high temperatures and abundant rainfall. The average annual temperature is approximately above 20 degrees Celsius, with accumulated temperatures above 10 degrees ranging from 6500 to 9500 degrees. There is no true winter season, and the frost-free period lasts from 300 to 360 days annually. The lowest temperature remains above 12 degrees Celsius. Most areas receive precipitation ranging from 1400 to 2000 millimeters, concentrated between May and October. The rainfall in Hainan Island and southern Yunnan from May to October accounts for 70-80% of the annual precipitation, with distinct wet and dry seasons, frequent rainy days, and around 150 rainy days in most areas.

The predominant soils in this region are red soil and brick-red soil. Brick-red soil is mainly distributed in Hainan Island, Leizhou Peninsula, and Xishuangbanna. Brick-red soil, a representative soil of the humid subtropical region, is generally found in low hills below 1000 meters, while yellow soil is more prevalent in hills ranging from 500 to 800 meters. Black lime soil is distributed in gentle karst valleys and slopes, characterized by heavy texture, good structure, and rich organic and mineral nutrients. Red lime soil is found in gentle foothills and karst valleys, with a slightly lower fertility level. Additionally, fertile paddy soil is found in the low hills of Fujian, Guangdong, and Guangxi, but it is not suitable for tobacco cultivation.

The tobacco cultivation area in this region is approximately 1.02 million mu, accounting for 12% of the national tobacco-growing area, with a total output comprising 6% of the national production. Tobacco quality is better in southern Fujian but relatively poorer in southern Guangxi and western Guangdong. Although this region traditionally grows winter tobacco, the prolonged influence of cold waves, lower temperatures, increased precipitation after April, frequent rainy days, and insufficient sunlight towards the end of the season hinder proper ripening. Consequently, tobacco often cannot mature fully and is harvested prematurely, resulting in inferior quality and unstable yields. In recent years, many areas have switched to growing spring tobacco, leading to an improvement in leaf quality.

The development direction for tobacco in this region is to adjust the layout by reducing the cultivation of winter tobacco in western Guangdong and southern Guangxi, converting winter tobacco cultivation in southern Fujian to spring tobacco, and fully exploring and developing sun-cured tobacco production while establishing raw material bases for cigar and high-quality blended cigarettes.

Yellow-Huai Tobacco Growing Region (黄淮烟区)

The Yellow-Huai Tobacco Growing Region is delineated by the North Piao-Cheng-Guyang line to the north, the Qinling-Huaihe line to the south, the Baotou-Bichi-Baoji line to the west, and the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea to the east. It includes the southeastern part of Inner Mongolia, all of Hebei, Shanxi, and Shandong, large parts of Shaanxi, Henan, and Jiangsu, as well as the areas north of the Huai River in Anhui and Jiangsu, and the municipalities of Beijing and Tianjin. With vast territory, there are significant differences in heat conditions across the region. The northern areas along Inner Mongolia and the Great Wall have relatively poor water and heat conditions, with accumulated temperatures above 1 degree Celsius ranging from 2500 to 3200 degrees, a frost-free period lasting 135 to 150 days, and annual precipitation ranging from 350 to 400 millimeters. In the southern parts, which are in the warm temperate zone, accumulated temperatures above 10 degrees range from 4000 to 4500 degrees, with a frost-free period of 175 to 220 days and annual precipitation ranging from 500 to 800 millimeters. Rainfall distribution is uneven, concentrated in the summer, with frequent heavy rains often causing floods.

The predominant soil types in this region include chestnut calcium soil in the north, loessial soils and black loam in the loess hills in the west, yellowish soils in the North China Plain, sandy ginger black soil in the Huaihe region, and brown soils and cinnamon soils in the hills of Shandong. Soil pH ranges from 5.8 to 8.1, with pH exceeding 7.0 in many areas except for the cinnamon soil in the hills of Shandong, leached brown soil, and Huanggang soil in central Henan. Soil salinity and chlorine content are relatively high in some areas.

This region is the largest tobacco-growing area in China, with a long history of cultivation. It spans 229 counties, with a cultivation area of over 3 million mu, accounting for approximately 40% of the national tobacco-growing area. The total tobacco output exceeds 9 million dan, representing a significant portion of the national total production. Notably, brands such as “Qingzhou Tobacco” from Shandong and “Xuchang Tobacco” from Henan are well-known for their high quality and enjoy a certain reputation in the international market. However, in recent years, due to various reasons, the quality of tobacco has been declining, while the hilly areas of western Henan and central Shandong have shown potential for producing high-quality tobacco, gradually replacing other areas.

The future development direction of tobacco in this region is to adjust the layout by compressing the areas unsuitable for cultivation, appropriately developing eco-friendly tobacco-growing areas, implementing regionalization of varieties and standardization of cultivation techniques, and improving the quality of tobacco leaves.

Central China Tobacco Growing Region (华中烟区)

The Central China Tobacco Growing Region encompasses all of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang provinces, as well as the areas south of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Sun-cured tobacco is the primary cultivation method, although the cultivation of flue-cured tobacco has also developed in recent years. Particularly in Hunan, the development of flue-cured tobacco has been rapid. Since the 1970s, nearly 90% of the counties in the province have heavily cultivated flue-cured tobacco, with a concentration in the hilly areas of the southern part. Well-known areas for sun-cured tobacco include Guangfeng in Jiangxi, Tongxiang in Zhejiang, Huanggang and Enshi in Hubei, and Xinchang in Zhejiang, all renowned for their excellent quality nationwide. The climate in the region is characterized by a frost-free period of 250 to 300 days, an average annual temperature above 15 degrees Celsius, annual rainfall generally exceeding 1000 millimeters, with 70% or more falling between May and October. The annual sunshine duration averages above 1500 hours. Tobacco is typically grown on hillsides, with dryland cultivation being predominant.

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Tobacco Distribution in China

  1. China’s tobacco cultivation is extensive, with the planting area and total production of flue-cured tobacco ranking first in the world.
  2. Major tobacco-producing provinces include Henan, Shandong, Yunnan, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Hunan, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Anhui. Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Liaoning, Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Jilin also have significant cultivation areas.
  3. Henan, Yunnan, Shandong, Guizhou, and Hunan are important flue-cured tobacco-producing regions in China.
  4. Henan is the largest flue-cured tobacco-producing region in China, accounting for one-third of the national output. Its production is mainly concentrated in cities such as Xuchang, Nanyang, Zhoukou, Sanmenxia, and Zhumadian.
  5. Yunnan’s tobacco cultivation areas are mainly distributed in the plains, gentle slopes, and hills of the Jinsha River, Nanpan River, and Yuan River basins, covering areas such as Qujing, Yuxi, Zhaotong, Chuxiong, Dali, Kunming, Honghe, and Baoshan. Yunnan ranks second in flue-cured tobacco production in China after Henan. Major tobacco-producing areas in Yunnan include Honghe Prefecture, Pu’er City, and Yuxi.
  6. Hunan has 38 tobacco production bases, with a total tobacco planting area of 1.4546 million mu (about 242,433 acres). Currently, Hunan Province has established 233 tobacco cooperatives with 38,000 members. Major tobacco-producing areas in Hunan include Chenzhou and Yongzhou.
  7. Tobacco is widely cultivated in provinces across China, both in the north and south, so I won’t go into detail about each province.
  8. Flue-cured tobacco is an important cash crop in China and a major raw material for cigarette production.

Different Characteristics of Tobacco Quality in Various Producing Regions:

  1. Yunnan Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of a clear type, with a clean and slightly sweet taste when smoked. The smoke concentration is light, with a slight local earthy flavor. It has medium to slightly strong strength, burns well, and produces white ash.
  2. Fujian Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of a clear type. Compared to Yunnan tobacco, it is less irritating, with medium combustion and slightly darker ash.
  3. Henan Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of a strong type, with a clean taste when smoked. It has a stronger smoke flavor, with a slight local earthy flavor. It is stimulating, burns well, and produces gray-white ash.
  4. Anhui Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of a strong type, with a relatively clean taste. Local earthy flavors are lighter, medium strength, slightly stimulating, burns well, and produces gray-white ash.
  5. Hunan Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of a strong type, with a relatively clean taste. It has a good smoke flavor, with a slight local earthy flavor. Medium strength, slightly stimulating, burns well, and produces white ash.
  6. Guangxi Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of a strong type, with a relatively clean taste. It has a strong smoke flavor, with heavier local earthy flavors. Medium strength, stimulating, burns well, and produces gray-white ash.
  7. Guizhou Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of an intermediate type, with a clean taste. It has a strong smoke flavor, with heavier local earthy flavors. Weak to medium strength, slightly stimulating, burns well, and produces white ash.
  8. Shandong Flue-cured Tobacco: Fragrance is of an intermediate type, with a clean taste. It has a strong smoke flavor, with slightly heavier local earthy flavors. Medium to strong strength, relatively stimulating, medium combustion, and gray-white ash.

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Edited by Ziwei Chen/陈紫薇