Tobacco Auctions Open In North Carolina

FAIRMONT, NC - JULY 29: Potential bidders look over leaf in the Hi-Dollar Tobacco Warehouse July 29, 2003 in Fairmont, North Carolina. North Carolina tobacco auctions opened up today, even though this year's crop is the smallest since Ulysses S. Grant was U.S. president. Lawsuits against tobacco companies, dwindling demand, and increased availability of cheap foreign tobacco have all had an impact on the amount of the leaf North Carolina tobacco farmers are now able to grow. Adding to the hurt put upon tobacco farmers is the fact that Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. are skipping tobacco auctions this year and instead will buy all of their domestic flue-cured leaf through direct contracts with farmers. (Photo by Logan Mock-Bunting/Getty Images)