Handmade Cigar Imports into the USA Rise by 4.6 Percent in Latest Report

Handmade cigar shipments to the United States are up once again. According to the latest report from the Cigar Association of America, premium cigar imports rose by 4.6 percent through October 2024 compared to the same period last year, totalling 362.8 million cigars.

Strong Growth in Dominican Republic Shipments

The Dominican Republic led the growth surge, recording a remarkable 13.6 percent increase in shipments. This equates to 94.2 million cigars, compared to 82.9 million during the first 10 months of 2023. Nicaragua, the market leader, also saw a modest gain of 3.5 percent, bringing its total to 210.9 million cigars.

Honduras, however, experienced a decline, with shipments dropping by 6.7 percent to 54.7 million cigars. This decrease makes Honduras the only one of the “Big Three” cigar producers for the U.S. market to post a loss. For some reason, Honduran cigars are underrated.

Smaller Players Make Notable Gains

While smaller producers account for a fraction of total shipments, Costa Rica’s performance stands out. Costa Rican premium cigar imports more than doubled, rising by 109.3 percent to 2.3 million cigars. Similarly, shipments from other smaller producers increased by 75 percent, although their contributions remain marginal.

Will 2024 End on a High Note?

With two months of data yet to be reported, the year is poised for a strong finish. The industry saw a modest 0.7 percent gain in 2023, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth and the third straight year with over 400 million cigars imported. The latest figures suggest that 2024 could outperform last year, continuing the trend of increasing demand for premium handmade cigars.

Stay tuned for the year-end report to see if these gains hold steady or even accelerate in the final months of the year.