Chinese smokers enjoy their Cubans
Malaysia Sun
Wednesday 23rd February, 2011
Organisers of the annual cigar festival in Havana have claimed higher sales from other countries, especially China.
Sales rose two percent last year, mainly in China and the Middle East.
The hand-rolled, premium cigars sell well in most countries except for the US, where there is an embargo on Cuban products.
Up to last year, Cuba's number one customer was Spain.
But sales fell by a third when the government imposed ant-smoking restrictions in bars and on the streets.
China has now become the third largest market for Cuban cigars behind Spain and France.
Germany is in fourth place.