The United States imported 310 million premium cigars in 2014,
1.2 percent less than 2013. The slim decrease is not statistically significant,
making 2014 an essentially flat year.
According to the yearly report from the Cigar Association of
America, the Dominican Republic remains the largest supplier of premium cigars
to the United States, followed by Nicaragua. The difference is a mere 8.6
million cigars between the two countries. Although Nicaragua experienced a
dramatic spike in exports from 2012 to 2013, it stayed relatively even from
2013 to 2014.
"Dominican cigars remain the leader in the United States
because the U.S. cigar smoker has embraced their variety and complexity,"
said Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard, CEO of Davidoff of Geneva Inc., which makes its Davidoff, Avo and Zino cigars in the
Dominican Republic. "The American cigar smoker has grown used to the
Dominican taste and in particular the constant newness of blends that focus
more on aroma and taste than on strength."
The Dominican Republic continued its decades-long lead in the
premium sector, making such big brands as Arturo Fuente, Davidoff,
Macanudo and Montecristo. It remained
in the No. 1 spot for 2014 with exports of 126.5 million units.
Nicaragua ranked second, with shipments of 117.9 million cigars,
and Honduras ranked third with 63.8 million. Unlike the Dominican Republic or
Nicaragua, Honduras saw a slight increase in exports in 2014, with shipments
increasing by roughly 500,000 units, or less than 1 percent. Nicaragua, known
for such brands as My Father, Oliva, Padrón and many Rocky Patel brands,
posted virtually unchanged growth for the year.
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