Latest Cigar Import Figures Show Minimal Growth
Nearly all of the numbers are in for 2025, and the results are generally positive. Imports of premium cigars—nearly all of them made by hand—were up one percent through November of 2025, to 394.6 million cigars, according to data released today by the Cigar Association of America. That leaves December, traditionally one of the biggest months for cigar shipments, before we have the final say on 2025.
For the first 11 months of 2025, market leader Nicaragua shipped 237.5 million premium cigars to the United States, up 2 percent over the first 11 months of 2024. Shipments from the No. 2 producer, the Dominican Republic, were down nine percent for the period, to 84.9 million cigars. Honduras, the No. 3 exporter, had the biggest gain of the trio, shipping 69 million cigars, a 14 percent increase over 2024.
The big news here is that the magic 400 million mark is certain to be eclipsed once again. When the final numbers are tallied, 2025 will mark the fifth consecutive year where premium cigar imports exceeded 400 million cigars. By contrast, back in 2020 only 361 million cigars were shipped, and in 2019 that number was a mere 338 million.
The year 2024 ended with a small gain over 2023, with imports up 0.9 percent. The biggest year in modern history for cigars was 2022, with shipments of 465 million.
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