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In our production we use basicaly aircuring technology. The green mass from the fields is brought to the drying complexes, the stage of curing follows, and then, manually or with the help of some machines, the leaves are put on wires. These are put under special covers, and they are put in order to avoid sunlight.
Natural sun-curing method is also used. Procedure is the same as in air-curing, but tobacco is cured under the influence of direct sun rays, under the plastic.
In this case, tobacco is turning yellow or green. This type of drying is much more laborious then the method which was used during USSR, the method of rapid flucuring. In a season (mid July - beginning of September) there is a need in labor force (up to 500 people) and a lot of drying covers.
Flucuring makes this process quicker and simpler, but smoking properties of the tobacco, in which we are specialized, are worse, this is why we refused to use this method of drying.
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