Cigar Association of America

This year seems on track to match last year’s record number of cigars. That said, many cigar companies have been talking about a more noticeable sales slow down of late.

Nicaragua, the dominant exporter of premium cigars, has increased its market share to over 60 percent according to the Cigar Association of America. Through the end of May, imports are within 350,000 cigars of last year, i.e. right on track.

After a strong April, 2024 premium cigar imports are staying in line with last year’s record-setting year.

Per the Cigar Association of America, the U.S. imported 96.95 million premium cigars in the first three months of 2024. As has been the case for quite some time, more than half of those cigars came from Nicaragua.

Pearce has been the executive director of the PCA since 2018.

From 2021-2023, cigar companies imported what previously amounted to four years worth of premium cigars in just three years.

Ozgo’s tenure at CAA lasted for a little more than two years.

It seems possible that 2023 might actually beat out the record-setting number of premium cigars imported to the U.S. in 2022.

There were 46.6 million premium cigars imported to the U.S. in August, a drop of 3.5 percent compared to last year.

Estades was first elected as ceo of the organization in 2015.

Earlier this week, the two groups met with government officials regarding the upcoming flavored cigar ban.