Many of the world famous tobacco producers use Prilep tobacco, after it is being processed in the local factories. The Tobacco Institute was established in Prilep in order to create new types of tobacco. It served as an example to demonstrate the use of the genetics in the domain of agriculture on the Balkan. The existence of majority of the families in Prilep depends on the tobacco production. Later on, the tobacco is being bought by Prilep Tobacco Industry.
The tobacco can be picked up in two ways. According to the oldest method, the whole stem is cut by crooked knife. In the XIX century, the lighter-leaf-tobacco was gathered leaf by leaf, from the bottom to the top, as the leaves are becoming ripped. In such a manner, the leaves from the stems can be picked up several times, prior to their complete gathering. Further on, tobacco leaves are stored and put on slides, dragged by mules. In the later period of time, tractors were used instead of animals for the same purpose. The tractors were transporting the leaves to a device called “nizalka” (thread machine). Some of the farmers use tractors with trailers (named “beracki” tools for picking up the tobacco leaves), and the workers in the trailers are dividing the work among themselves, usually in the groups of ten, for cutting, threading and packing the tobacco.
The traditional way of tobacco manufacturing largely remained in Prilep Region. The tobacco fields are not places for promenade, but on the other hand, inhabitants of Prilep are always hospitable to visitors, that are impressed by the wide yellow tobacco rows covering the entire area.