Text: Cuba News 360 Newsroom
Habanos SA Corporation reported that its sales hit $568 million in 2021, a 15% year-over-year growth.
According to the economic results of this period published by the company, the achievements achieved despite the COVID-19 pandemic are commendable, among which it is worth noting that it has far exceeded 500 million dollars from the sale of premium cigars around the world. According to the state newspaper , this result represents a historic record for this category.
The Co-Presidents of Habanos SA, Cuban Inocente Núñez Blanco and Spaniard Luis Sánchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera, assured that they were very proud to present “the category of premium cigars (made entirely by hand by Cuban rollers) to lead and continue to grow, despite the situations we have experienced in the last two years”.
In the country ranking that characterizes the Habanos SA markets, Spain, China, Germany, France and Switzerland rank in the top five according to sales volume. By region, Europe remained the main market at 59%, followed by Asia Pacific at 16%, the Americas at 14% and Africa and the Middle East at 11%.
The Cuban media added that the commercial vice president of the joint venture, Leopoldo Cintra González, and his vice president of development, José María López Inchaurbe, confirmed Habanos SA’s commitment to “offer our fans the best experience, exclusive products and novelties among of quality, tradition and unique origins that make Cuban cigars a luxury product appreciated worldwide”.
The situation experienced worldwide by the pandemic brought with it changed consumption habits, to which the company was able to adapt. To this end, Habanos SA, together with its exclusive distributors, strived “to maintain the passion for the Habano through their marketing strategies, their launches, novelties, virtual events and, where possible, in-person events,” reported Cubadebate.
The company is aware of the impact and delays in the delivery of some of the best-selling vitolas, primarily caused by the impact of the pandemic and strong international demand. However, in 2021, they exported 38 new products.
Habanos SA explained to Cuban state media that some of the launches most awaited by fans: the Cohiba Ámbar, Cohiba Ideales and Cohiba Limited Edition 2021 cigars, all dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the brand, will not be presented at the traditional festival and could be tasted. the Habano, which is celebrated on the island and which has been canceled in the last two years. Despite this situation, in April 2021, these products were presented at a virtual event called Habanos World Days.
The company is a world leader in the commercialization of premium cigars, both in Cuba and in the rest of the world. To this end, it has an exclusive sales network on five continents and in more than 150 countries. It also distributes 27 premium brands, entirely handmade and protected by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), including Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás, Hoyo de Monterrey and H. Upmann.
Finally, Habanos, SA announced that it will host a gala on September 9th in Havana dedicated to the 55th anniversary of Cohiba, its most prestigious brand.