Apparatus and method are disclosed for producing a compact strand of tobacco leaves in which the stems of the leaves are oriented predominantly longitudinally of the strand. Tobacco leaves distributed onto a horizontal conveyor in loose, randomly distributed fashion are subjected to progressive lateral crowding as they pass into a narrow channel section. The crowding effects displacement and/or deformation of leaves to achieve the desired orientation and the formation of the compacted strand. The crowding effect and the narrow channel section are afforded by upstanding endless conveyor flight portions overlying the horizontal conveyor and driven in the same direction and substantially the same speed as the horizontal conveyor.