George Nathan Souza Brito^1,, Milton Ferreira da Silva Júnior²

This study aimed to delineate, characterize and analyze the Bahian Cigar Production Chain in order to collaborate with the development of the sector and benefit the social environment. Rapid Appraisal (RA) methodology that intensifies the collection of secondary data and allows the combination of informal and formal structured methods were used. This productive chain has existed for more than a century, it is traditional and influences the regional culture, in addition to contributing to the trade balance of Bahia and Brazil, therefore, the federal and state governments have proposed public policies to encourage the sector. However, Agricultural credit was not effective in Bahia, since it registered very low rates of concession. It was found that in Bahia the production of benefited tobacco fell from 7 tons (t) in 2012 to 2.1 t in 2015, as well as the production of cigars that reduced from 15.5 million units in 2012 to 14 million in 2015. The total value of exports of Bahian cigars and cigarillos to international markets fell by 79% (1997 to 2015). It was also verified that in 2015, exempt from taxes, 5.4 t of cigars and cigarillos of Cuban origin, worth approximately US $ 1.3 million, entered in Brazil.

tobacco, agricultural credit, public policies