Declines in the availability of firewood, increased concerns over the environmental impact of deforestation, plus the use of lignite, the most common alternative to firewood, are contributing to rising costs. Many large curers are recognizing these limitations, and are modifying their traditional curing facilities into bulk curing systems. According to the curers, the new system lowers the cost of fuel and labor, and increases the yield and quantity by as much as two standards. However, the initial investment is so expensive that few curers are able to switch to the new system. Burley Leaf Burley production is located in the Phetchabun and Sukhothai Provinces.
Production is divided into early and late crops.
The early crop production is limited to about 10 to 15 percent of total burley production because of the high risks associated with early planting. Burley production is forecast to drop by 15 percent to 28,000 metric tons in 1999. Stocks are estimated to increase by 17 percent in 1999 as a result of decreased cigarette consumption. Exports are expected to increase by 5 percent in 1999 or to total 15,000 metric tons. But imports are forecast to reach 2,600 tons in 1999 as compared to 3,936 tons in 1998.