Cuban cigar sales jump 8% in 2013, says Habanos SA

24 February 2014 Last updated at 21:44 GMT Share this pageEmailPrint

Cuban cigar sales jump 8% in 2013, says Habanos SA

Sales of Cuban cigars are still banned in the US, the world's biggest
cigar market, due to an embargo.
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Sales of Cuba's famous cigars jumped 8% in 2013, helped by strong demand
from the island's smokers and China, said Habanos SA.

Total sales reached $447m (£269m) up from $416m in 2012, according to
the firm, which is co-owned by Cubatabaco and British firm Altadis.

Europe remains the biggest market, but demand from China and the Middle
East has helped boost sales.

Cuban cigars are still banned from the US market.

The results were announced at the start of the annual Cuban cigar
festival, held in Havana.

The event draws visitors and participants from the around the world.

The US is the biggest cigar market, but is off-limits to the industry
due to an economic embargo imposed on communist Cuba by Washington more
than half a century ago.

Source: BBC News - Cuban cigar sales jump 8% in 2013, says Habanos SA -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26332189