The Tobacco Board of India (TBI) is leading a delegation of tobacco exporters in the World Tobacco Middle East, with a strategic focus on branding unmanufactured Indian tobacco to enhance farmers’ income. The initiative targets the Middle East market, with the UAE as a primary export destination.

India’s tobacco industry operates through two distinct export categories. The first comprises 226 exporters registered for unmanufactured tobacco exports, which has successfully established itself as a recognised Indian brand. The second category includes 557 manufacturers registered as exporters of tobacco products. Indian tobacco and tobacco products are exported to over 128 countries around the world during 2023-24.

The Board serves as the authorised agency for issuing Certificates of Origin (CoO), and Certificate of Authenticity(CoA), for tobacco exports, this certification process is crucial for international trade facilitation. Operating under the mission “To strive for the overall development of tobacco growers and the Indian Tobacco Industry,” the Board continues to play a vital role in supporting both farmers and the broader tobacco industry in India.

Established on January 1, 1976, under the Tobacco Board Act, 1975, the TBI operates from its headquarters in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. While its primary mandate focuses on export promotion of tobacco and allied products, the Board also oversees the production, distribution, and regulation of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco for both domestic consumption and exports.