Alliance One North America of Wilson and Universal Leaf North America of Nashville, NC were named the 2026 Exporters of the Year by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler at the annual Ag Development Forum. The event is organized by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) alongside the Southern Farm Show.
The award recognizes both companies for their achievements in international trade, market expansion, and contributions to North Carolina’s agricultural exports. “This is the first time we have awarded two Exporters of the Year at the same time, but both companies’ expertise in exporting North Carolina tobacco and helping make connections for our tobacco industry makes them well deserving of this honor,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “As key players in the international tobacco arena, their insights, knowledge and contacts have been invaluable in helping us establish and grow international marketing opportunities for N.C. grown and processed tobacco. These relationships are crucial to our work.”
Alliance One was established in 2005 through a merger between DIMON Incorporated and Standard Commercial Corporation. The company has more than 150 years of combined experience as a tobacco leaf supplier. Alliance One contracts with about 300,000 tobacco growers across five continents, operates in 20 countries, and sells products in nearly 80 countries worldwide. Matt Drake accepted the award on behalf of Scott Gupton, president of Alliance One North America.
Universal Leaf Tobacco North America was founded in 1918 in Richmond, Virginia, with its regional headquarters now located in Nashville, NC. Its facility in Nash County is one of the largest ISO-certified tobacco processing sites globally. Universal Leaf operates in over 30 countries on five continents and supplies four major types of tobacco: flue-cured, burley, oriental, and dark varieties. Clayton Frazier accepted the award as president of Universal Leaf North America.
“Tobacco remains an important crop in North Carolina, with our state leading the country in tobacco production and tobacco being the top crop produced in the state,” Troxler said. “We are fortunate to have offices for both of our honorees in North Carolina where I happen to believe the very best tobacco is grown.”
The NCDA&CS supports community farming practices and enhances quality of life through forest management efforts as outlined on its official website. The department also manages specialized divisions such as the NC Forest Service for resource management (source). Agriculture and agribusiness contribute $102 billion annually to North Carolina’s economy (source). The agency works to ensure food safety, protect consumers, and promote sustainable farming (source). Steve Troxler serves as commissioner (source), while North Carolina leads national production not only in tobacco but also sweet potatoes (source).
