Nach schwierigen Jahren 2001 bis 2003 und einer signifikanten Steigerung 2004, zeigen sich die Habanos-Verantwortlichen erfreut über das laufende Jahr. Hauptabsatzgebiete sind übrigens Spanien, Frankreich, Deutschland, Schweiz und Kuba selber. Prensa Latina schreibt:

Cuban Cigars Sales Extremely Healthy

Havana, Nov 5 (Prensa Latina) The Cuban cigars continue foremost among premium cigars as the most attractive for cigar aficionados around the world, Habanos SA vice president, Evis Placeres, contentedly informed at the International Havana Fair (FIHAV 2005) that closes Saturday.

Last year Habanos introduced a plan of 86 percent premium cigars, 13 percent non-premium, and one percent specialty cigars, which has moved Island cigars to the very top of the ladder, he said.

The premium are the most desirable and are of the highest hand-rolled quality, whereas the special editions are of elevated exclusivity and produced in very small quantities.

While 2004 was a year of solid market recuperation for Cuban tobacco after three years of difficulties from non-smoking campaigns, 2005 has shown stability in sales, particularly for the Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, and H.Upmann brands, he said.

The principal markets for Habanos have been Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland and the domestic market.

Placeres made the observations at the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), the Cuba´s main commercial market that closes Saturday having celebrated its 23rd edition with the attendance of more than 40 countries.