Who we are & What we do
Special Issue
Tobacco Courier
Tobacco Monitor
Website - Info Hub
Launched in November 2019 and thanks to our database of more than 20 years of collecting information, our website is the ultimate tobacco info-hub where members have exclusive access to information Check info on: www.tobaccoleaf.orgEvent Centre - Online Meeting Hub
Atlas - Tobacco Growing in Figures
Our Meetings










The ITGA centres its efforts on …
- Developing contact between tobacco growers around the world
- Sharing non-competitive information about the crop with its members
- Elaborating strategies to stabilise supply and prices
- Countering national and international anti-tobacco-growing campaigns
- Ensuring that the legitimate interests of tobacco growers are adequately considered by national and international policy-makers
- Monitoring market conditions
- Building mutual understanding and protecting its members and their dependants
- Publicising the socio-economic importance of tobacco in terms of employment, agricultural development and national economic benefits
History of the ITGA
Prior to 1984, tobacco growers world-wide had no unified voice. This changed on November 26th of that year when farmers from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Malawi, the U.S.A. and Zimbabwe agreed to form an organisation to promote and develop their common interests throughout the world. From that agreement emerged the International Growers' Association (ITGA). The ITGA time-line, below, lists the most important dates in the history of the ITGA.
The ITGA time-line, below, lists the most important dates in the history of the ITGA.
1984
Foundation of the ITGA by
Argentina,
Brazil,
Canada,
the U.S.A.,
Malawi
and Zimbabwe
1988
Admission of
South Africa and
Zambia
1989
New Admission
Italy and the
Philippines
1990
Chief Executive
Mr. David Walder appointed ITGA Chief Executive
1991
Admission of
India and
Malaysia
1992
New Admissions of
Burundi,
Cyprus and
Nigeria
1993
Admission of
Mexico and
Tanzania
1995
Poland Joins
Poland Joins ITGA Group
1997
Admission of
Croatia,
Portugal and
Venezuela
1998
New Chief Executive
Mr. David Walder retires from his office as Chief Executive of the ITGA
Mr. António Abrunhosa appointed ITGA Chief Executive
1999
New Headoffice
Castelo Branco, Portugal
Admission of Kenya and Uganda
2000
Supporters Category
Introduction of the Supporters Category
2004
Membership
Application for membership by Indonesia and Pakistan
Admission of Bulgaria and Italy
2006
Canada Resigns
Canada resigns as a Founder Member
Malaysia is readmitted
2008
Colombia Joins
Colombia joins the ITGA
2010
New Joins by
Indonesia and
Philippines join the ITGA
2010
ITGA 1st Global Campaign
2012
New Joins by
Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Korea
join ITGA
2014
ITGA 2nd global campaign
2018
Azerbaijan Joins
Azerbaijan joins the ITGA
2019
North Carolina Tobacco Growers' Association joins
North Carolina Tobacco Growers' Association joins the ITGA
2021
Mercedes Vázquez is appointed new ITGA CEO
Mercedes Vázquez is appointed new ITGA CEO
Testimonials
“ITGA members must be interacting with state or non-state organizations, UN Agencies inclusive; as we together lok at suporting livelihoods of the tobacco dependent masses. (...) Let institutions support each other as we endeavor to sustain or improve livelihoods of tobacco farmers.”

Abiel M. Kalima Banda
ITGA Ex-President
“The International Tobacco Growers Association is offering the expertise of its members to engage with various governments and international organizations, including the World Health Organization, in the effort to find viable alternatives and complementary crops for tobacco growers around the world.”

Daniel Green
ITGA Ex-President
“The ITGA has a responsibility to assist in ensuring that farmers have a sustainable future in the farming business, even if it means growing less tobacco and more complementary crops where the demand for tobacco is declining.”

François Van der Merwe
ITGA Ex-President
“The future looks undoubtedly complicated. It is our responsibility to close ranks with ITGA member countries and defend our right to carry out our legitimate growing activities, as we have done until now.”

Jorge Nestor
ITGA Ex-President
“ITGA stands ready to represent growers worldwide in this vital issue affecting our future.”

Roger Quarles
ITGA Ex-President
“As leaders of the tobacco producing countries, we should fight for the continuity of the tobacco business, at least until viable and real alternatives are found. The people we represent simply want to follow the principle that guides any activity: sustainability and the well-being of their families.”

Benicio Albano Werner
ITGA Ex-President
Become a Member
Contact Us

Mr. José J. Aranda
(ITGA President)

TAZ - Tobacco Association of Zambia
(Vice Presidency)

Mr. Benicio A. Werner
(ITGA Treasurer)

Mrs. Mercedes Vázquez
(Chief Executive)

Mr. António Abrunhosa
(Senior Advisor)