Cigar Association of America

The CAA’s latest report shows imports aren’t keeping pace with the record year of 2022, but they are still incredibly strong compared to pre-COVID-19 levels.

While imports were down 8.8 percent from the record-setting pace set last year, 2023 has been noticeably stronger compared to where the cigar market was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There were 464.54 million premium cigars imported into the U.S. in 2022, a record-setting year. That increase is largely due to one country: Nicaragua.

Most recently, Fojtik worked at the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).

In addition to the nearly $4 billion in lost retail sales, governments around the country would lose a combined $750 million in tax revenue.

Imports from the Dominican Republic and Honduras are more or less flat through the end of August 2022 but Nicaragua continues to grow.

While the import numbers remain strong overall, May 2022 failed to beat 2021, dropping 4.25 percent largely due to the Dominican Republic’s exports to the U.S.

Manufacturers, retailers, consumers and other interested parties are invited to submit comments on the matter.

A 10.3 percent increase in exports of Nicaraguan cigars to the U.S. is fueling an even stronger year of cigar imports.

The CAA is giving adult consumers of cigars a way to voice their opinion on FDA’s proposed ban on flavored cigars.

CAA is expanding its state lobbying staff.