U.S. Premium Cigar Imports Surge 7.2% in First Quarter of 2025

Premium cigar imports to the United States jumped by 7.2% in Q1 2025, reversing early signs of a market slowdown. More than 93 million cigars were shipped between January and March.

After early 2025 indicators hinted at a potential dip, the U.S. premium cigar market has delivered a surprising turnaround. According to new data from the Cigar Association of America (CAA), handmade cigar imports rose by 7.2% in the first quarter, with 93.1 million cigars arriving between January and March. That’s up from 87 million during the same period in 2024.

This growth is particularly notable given the earlier trend. Data from the end of February showed an 8.7% decline in imports, sparking concern across the industry. However, March shipments appear to have more than compensated for the early lag, offering a positive outlook for the months ahead.

Nicaragua continues to dominate the U.S. import market. With 59.7 million cigars shipped in Q1—a rise of 8.9%—the country solidified its lead. Honduras also posted a strong performance, increasing its shipments by 10.8% to reach 15.3 million cigars. The Dominican Republic, however, saw a slight dip of 3.1%, bringing its total to 16.9 million cigars for the quarter.

This rebound suggests a resilient appetite for premium cigars in the U.S., despite global uncertainties and market pressures. While it’s too early to call it a trend, the strong March recovery may signal continued momentum heading into the second quarter.