NC Cigar Imports to the USA by country YTD MAY 2024.

[El Presidente]

 

To put it in perspective, pre 2020, Habanos was selling approximately 80 million hand rolled cigars worldwide per annum. In the 5 months to May 2024, 154 million NC cigars were imported into the USA alone

 

 

 

 

[SCgarman]

How many cigars is Habanos producing now? I'd say they are way behind the eight ball in terms of production. BTW, aren't they due to raised Cuban cigar prices...again??!!🤣 FYI, I can still order a nice size vitola of Padron 1964 from an online retailer for under $400 usd. Can't even buy the Monte 4 for that price.

[El Presidente]

11 hours ago, SCgarman said:

How many cigars is Habanos producing now? I'd say they are way behind the eight ball in terms of production. BTW, aren't they due to raise Cuban cigar prices...again??!!🤣

Habanos hasn't officially announced numbers for many years. 

Best guess for this calendar year is 50-60 million cigars. Production has certainly ramped up. 

I suspect they are the ones laughing. Last year, producing less than half as many cigars as 2019 they increased revenue 200% over 2019. 

This year I expect them to break (or go close to) the 800 mark. They are going for the 1 Billion if they can get production and sales balance right + "realign" control of distribution model. 

[SCgarman]

10 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Habanos hasn't officially announced numbers for many years. 

Best guess for this calendar year is 50-60 million cigars. Production has certainly ramped up. 

I suspect they are the ones laughing. Last year, producing less than half as many cigars as 2019 they increased revenue 200% over 2019. 

This year I expect them to break (or go close to) the 800 mark. They are going for the 1 Billion if they can get production and sales balance right + "realign" control of distribution model.  

They will need their cigar laborers to stop leaving Cuba looking for greener pastures (and food) in other countries. 

[El Presidente]

9 hours ago, SCgarman said:

They will need their cigar laborers to stop leaving Cuba looking for greener pastures (and food) in other countries. 

That's a Tabacuba production problem. 

Habanos is about marketing, sales/margin/profit. Their job is to do the best that they can within the circumstances that they find themselves in.  

On pure numbers thay have done an exceptional job since 2021. 

I still believe there is some face planting to come...but they have proven me wrong now more than once. 

 

[Deeg]

I’m quite surprised to see Nicaragua dominating by that huge margin.

[Cigar Surgeon]

On 8/28/2024 at 6:23 PM, Deeg said:

I’m quite surprised to see Nicaragua dominating by that huge margin.

Nicaragua overtook Dominican Republic in 2016, and I don't think that trajectory was particularly surprising to anyone in the industry. Dominican Republic has always been very traditional about their approach to cigars and I believe Nicaragua has been the country to innovate. That has resulted in a massive boom of boutique cigar brands out of Nicaragua since the early 2010's.

Source: Cigar Aficionado

[SCgarman]

Padron have always been Nicaraguan puros. The 1964 series is one of my favorites out of any cigars, period.

[Bagman]

13 hours ago, SCgarman said:

Padron have always been Nicaraguan puros. The 1964 series is one of my favorites out of any cigars, period.

Dude, we get it. Over the years you have mentioned your love for this cigar over 100 times!

[ubiquito]

10 minutes ago, Monterey said:

Dude, we get it.  Over the years you have mentioned your love for this cigar over 100 times!

Nothing wrong with that! 

[SCgarman]

22 minutes ago, ubiquito said:

Nothing wrong with that! 

😁

[VeguerosMAN]

Other than the Fuentes I think DR

On 8/29/2024 at 6:18 AM, SCgarman said:

Padron have always been Nicaraguan puros. The 1964 series is one of my favorites out of any cigars, period.

What do you think of Oliva V series? I am digging Oliva as my go to every day cigars, and in some ways it's very close to Padron 1964 in terms of quality and taste.

On 8/29/2024 at 5:25 AM, Cigar Surgeon said:

Nicaragua overtook Dominican Republic in 2016, and I don't think that trajectory was particularly surprising to anyone in the industry. Dominican Republic has always been very traditional about their approach to cigars and I believe Nicaragua has been the country to innovate. That has resulted in a massive boom of boutique cigar brands out of Nicaragua since the early 2010's.

Could you name a few boutique brands coming out of DR? I don't think there aren't any. Most boutique companies are using Nic tobaccos. 

[SCgarman]

2 hours ago, VeguerosMAN said:

Other than the Fuentes I think DR

What do you think of Oliva V series?  I am digging Oliva as my go to every day cigars, and in some ways it's very close to Padron 1964 in terms of quality and taste. 

I have little experience with Oliva cigars. But it seems many like them and they have high ratings.

[Cigar Surgeon]

7 hours ago, VeguerosMAN said:

Could you name a few boutique brands coming out of DR? I don't think there aren't any. Most boutique companies are using Nic tobaccos. 

For sure! And this reminds me that I was talking to another forum member about doing a boutique breakdown post every once and a while which this makes me think I should get on.

• ADVentura.  Owned by Henderson & Marcel, make some very good blends coming out of Domincan Republic.
• Jake Wyatt cigars
• Smoking Jacket Cigars
• Chogüí 
• Freud
• Eladio Díaz
• Dalay
• Blackbird
• Ferio Tego
• Somm
• Fratello
• Saga
• Casdagli
• Bellatto
• Caldwell (although they were recently acquired)
• Ozgener 
• Topper Cigar Co
• La Galera
• Red Anchor
• Casa Cuevas
• Falto
• Patoro
• Lampert

No doubt there are dozens more, I would have to do a more comprehensive search.