Why In Andorra ?

[KARL]

This evening someone expressed difficulty in understanding the following:
Andorra is a tiny particularly mountainous place with an even smaller area of land available for cultivation. He said it is very conspicuous that they grow tobacco on a lot of the plots - we have been there but did not notice this in particular. As he said, Andorra is a very low tax territory so it is presumably not to counteract high tax on tobacco. The size of the crop must be minuscule so hardly significant in any obvious way. None of us in the group could think of an explanation - can anyone on here ?

[Mamyalynne]

I'm sure there are more in depth studies but this is a start.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Andorra

[Hopkirk]

I note that in Mamy's link, tobacco is listed under main industries.

[EDDIE51]

If you only have a small area of land available Tobacco is one of the Worlds most profitable crops ! Even one small field of high Quality tobacco can provide a farmer with a years good income !! Tobacco growing in Andorra is not only legal, it is one of the few sources of income !!! There are even Government inspectors checking to see that the crop is up to standard ! Andorran Tobacco is highly prized by smokers ! So also VERY expensive !! Demand always outstrips supply !!!

[Buenchico]

Worth a read, possibly:
http://merlinandrebecca.blogspot.com/2011/10/andorran-national-crop.html

[KARL]

Thanks to all for the illuminating answers.

[beso]

Growing drugs is a common way to make a lot of money from a small space.

[TheDevil]

Tobacco is grown on about 8% of Andorra's farmland.

[davebro]

My uncle once tried growing tobacco on a small plot - the crop failed. I think it is too wet here - probably drier in Andorra.

[TheDevil]

I suspect the conditions in Andorra are ideal.

[Gromit]

Andorra has the largest cigarette consumption per capita, in the world.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_cigarette_consumption_per_capita#2016_rankings

It also has a large number of vineyards/wineries, and is the biggest consumer of wine per capita too.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/beer-consumption-per-capita-countries/

[DTCwordfan]

After all, their most popular name is Sig. Arrillo.....
so growing weed comes as no surprise.