Latest news with #Habanos
France 24
15-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
Cuban cigarillo factory overwhelmed by burning demand overseas
Working at full capacity, the Internacional Cubana de Tabacos S.A. (ICT) factory produces 800,000 cigarillos a day. It is not enough. Exports have increased tenfold in two decades -- and that's despite stricter smoking laws worldwide, and not being able to sell into the US market due to its decades-long embargo. "Today we have a problem, which is a good problem. Our warehouses, our inventories of finished products, are at zero. Everything we produce, we sell," ICT president Ricardo Soler told AFP at the factory in Havana. "Our production capacity has not been able to meet demand" mainly in Europe, but increasingly also Asia, he said. ICT is a semi state-owned company partnered with Spain's Tabacalera. Its sales grew from 25.4 million cigarillos in 2001 to 200 million last year when the company reported a turnover of $38 million. Unlike Cuba's famous hand-rolled "Habanos," cigarillos are aimed at a market with "lower purchasing power," said Soler. Growth in Cuban cigar sales has also remained strong, reaching $827 million last year -- a 16-percent increase from 2023 driven by Asian demand for luxury products. Cigars are one of Cuba's main export products. "The Habano is the king, we are the princes," said Soler. The ICT factory, opened in 2001, employs some 400 workers, producing cigarillos with 64 machines, seven days a week. "I love my machine," said 24-year-old worker Risel Barbara Fuente, who earns 11,200 pesos (some 93 dollars) per month -- double the average salary in economic crisis-riddled Cuba. Like the others, she also receives a heavily subsidized monthly basket of food and hygiene products worth three times her salary. "Strong investments" are planned for 2025 to increase production capacity, said Soler. © 2025 AFP
Korea Herald
11-04-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
HABANOS, S.A. CELEBRATES THE 180TH ANNIVERSARY OF PARTAGÁS WITH THE EXCLUSIVE LAUNCH OF "CEDROS" IN COMMEMORATION OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR
HAVANA, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Habanos, S.A. commemorated the 180th anniversary of the prestigious Partagás brand with the launch of its new vitola "Cedros" (50 ring gauge x 135 mm de length) at an event held at the Murray Hotel in Hong Kong. The evening brought together more than 180 guests, who enjoyed a dinner specially designed for the occasion in a festive atmosphere full of tradition. This exclusive edition celebrates the Year of the Snake (Wood). According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the snake represents qualities such as wisdom and wood represents strength and capacity for growth. Undoubtedly, a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the fundamental role that such a noble material as wood has played in preserving the aromas and organoleptic qualities of Habanos throughout history. Partagás "Cedros" is a limited specialty that stands out for its neat presentation in an elegant box containing 18 Habanos. Each of these Habanos has been "Totally Handmade with Long Filler" using selected wrapper, filler and binder leaves coming from the Vuelta Abajo* plantations, in Pinar del Río*, Cuba*. This region is recognized worldwide as the cradle of what is considered the world's best tobacco, thanks to its exceptional soils, unique climate and centuries-old tobacco growing tradition. These conditions allow for the production of leaves of unparalleled quality, which are essential in the production of the most prestigious Habanos. Thanks to this superior selection, Partagás "Cedros" offers a smoking experience rich in flavor and perfectly balanced strength, making it a must-have for lovers of good smoking. The Cedros vitola (50 ring gauge x 135 mm length) represents the perfect combination of exclusivity, tradition and excellence, characteristics that have consolidated Partagás as an emblem within the Habanos offer. Beyond celebrating the Chinese New Year, this launch stands as a tribute to the brand's rich history, which for 180 years has been a benchmark of quality and prestige in the cigar industry. This special edition will be available through exclusive Habanos, S.A. distributors. With this launch, Partagás reaffirms its commitment to tradition, innovation and excellence, offering aficionados a unique Habano that embodies the essence of a brand known for its character. Partagás "Cedros": Brand: Partagás Market name: Cedros Factory name: Dignos Dimensions: 50 Ring gauge x 135 mm de length Presentation: Special case of 18 units with NFC technology in the box and foot ring Wrapper: light brown, smooth, silky, oily and shiny Tasting notes: Draw: excellent Ash: compact Strength: strong Smoking time: around 45-50 minutes The Partagás Cedros presents unique dimensions within the brand's portfolio, which offer an enriching smoking experience when combined with the strong strength characteristic of this prestigious Habanos brand. In its first third, it displays a clean taste of Cuban dark tobacco that evolves into subtle notes of cocoa and oak as the smoke progresses. With a length of 135 mm, this vitola gives a dense smoke that achieves a well accentuated permanence in the aftertaste. Pairing suggestion: Partagás Cedros is an invitation to pair it with robust, long-aged spirits. Preferably, those aged naturally in white oak barrels whose refinement develops a profile with subtle notes of nuts, chocolate or vanilla. When combined with the Habano, this symphony of flavors generates an exceptional sensory experience.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
THE 25TH FESTIVAL DEL HABANO CONCLUDES WITH A GALA DEDICATED TO THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF COHIBA LÍNEA BEHIKE
During the evening, the new Cohiba Behike 58 vitola was unveiled The Humidor Cohiba Behike 15 Aniversario breaks records by reaching the highest bid in history for a humidor, €4,600,000. HAVANA, March 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gala Evening of the XXV Festival del Habano marked the conclusion of a week filled with unique experiences centered around the world of Habanos. The Pabexpo Convention Center served as the venue where 1,400 guests gathered to celebrate a magical evening, highlighting the 15th anniversary of Línea Behike de Cohiba, the most exclusive within the Habanos, S.A. portfolio. Elegance and sophistication took center stage in a night that transported attendees to a universe of exclusivity and luxury. An exquisite gastronomic offering, pairings with high-end spirits, and an artistic performance of the highest level made this gala an unforgettable experience. One of the most significant moments of the evening was the world premiere of the Cohiba Behike 58 vitola (58 ring gauge x 178 mm length), a majestic new Habano for Línea Behike de Cohiba, completing this collection alongside BHK 52, BHK 54, and BHK 56. Since its launch in 2010, Behike has established itself as the most exclusive reference in premium tobacco worldwide. In this 15th anniversary, Línea Behike is reinvented with a more stylized image and a new premium packaging, featuring innovative security measures, including NFC technology and unique identification codes, ensuring its authenticity and making it an object of desire for aficionados. BHK 58, like the rest of Línea Behike, incorporates the Medio Tiempo leaf, a rarity within the sun-grown tobacco plant, which gives these Habanos a full strength and unique complexity. "Totally Handmade with Long Filler", crafted from carefully selected leaves from the finest plantations in San Juan y Martínez and San Luis, in Vuelta Abajo*, Pinar del Río*, Cuba, this release reaffirms Behike as the ultimate symbol of luxury. To commemorate this anniversary, Habanos, S.A. has created an exclusive 15th-anniversary commemorative pack, which includes the four vitolas of Línea Behike. During the evening, the Co-Presidents of Habanos, S.A., Maritza Carrillo González and Luis Sánchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera, addressed the attendees, highlighting the legacy of Línea Behike and its impact on the premium tobacco market. They also expressed their gratitude "to all those who make the greatness of Habanos possible: from the farmers in Vuelta Abajo, who carefully cultivate the finest tobacco leaves, to the master torcedores who transform this raw material into true works of art." The Gala Evening also served as the venue for the 2024 Habanos Awards, which recognize the most influential figures in the Habanos industry. In the Business category, the winner was Alain Proietto. In the Communication category, the award went to Aleksandar Stipcic. In the Production category, the recognition was granted to Reynier Lázaro. Additionally, the winner of the Torcedor Contest was announced, with the title of Gran Torcedor 2025 awarded to Brisael Perdomo Lazcano from La Corona factory, as well as the Habanos World Challenge champions, who this year were Matthew Edward Castillo and Alexei Vladimir Sleur. One of the most exciting moments of the evening was the traditional Humidor Auction, whose proceeds, as every year, will be donated to the Cuban Public Health System. This edition featured the auction of seven exclusive humidors, representing each of Habanos' global brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagás, Hoyo de Monterrey, and H. Upmann, along with a commemorative humidor celebrating the 15th anniversary of Línea Behike. Additionally, the auction included three surprise humidors, dedicated to brands celebrating anniversaries in 2025: Punch, Juan López, and La Gloria Cubana, adding an extra touch of excitement and exclusivity to the auction. The total proceeds reached €16,410,000. In addition, the winners of the auctioned humidors have the opportunity to access Habanos Private Selection, an exclusive program designed for a highly select and privileged group of Habano enthusiasts. This program offers unique experiences and gives participants access to a selection of the most prestigious vitolas in the Habanos portfolio, as well as the chance to customize certain attributes of its most exclusive pieces. In addition, they will receive a high-end humidor that they will be able to customize. The music and art were the undisputed highlights of the evening, with a groundbreaking performance bringing together talented international artists. The night featured performances by Manolito Simonet's Orchestra, Susana Pous, Las Ninfas, Coro Vocal Luna, Alisbet La Santiaguera, Waldo Mendoza, Max Max, and Alain Pérez. The reveal of the new vitola from Línea Behike de Cohiba was accompanied by a congratulatory video from Sadeck Waff, followed by an impressive choreographic performance designed and directed by the artist himself, further elevating the excitement of the moment. The Gala Evening's closing act was headlined by Earth, Wind & Fire, the iconic international band, which captivated the audience with its distinctive rhythm and a vibrant performance, bringing an unforgettable and magical evening to a spectacular conclusion. To download high-resolution images of the event, click here. Photo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Habanos, S.A. 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Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cuba's top cigarmaker breaks record with sales of $827 million in 2024
By Nelson Acosta HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's top cigar maker Habanos said on Monday that sales of the company's luxurious smokes had soared to a record $827 million in 2024 as revenue poured in from fast-growing markets in China and elsewhere in Asia. Habanos Vice President Jorge Perez said revenue jumped 16% over the previous year as the company reaped high-end demand from a growing class of wealthy smokers in Asia, a region which now accounts for nearly one-quarter of the company's sales globally. Cuba's cigar business, together with rum exports, is among the crisis-racked country's last thriving export industries and critically important for raising foreign currency necessary to buy food, fuel and medicine. Habanos S.A. is owned 50% by Cuba's communist-run government and 50% by a consortium of Asian investors under the umbrella group Tabacalera. Soaring sales in 2024 came even as Cuban growers struggle to recover from Hurricane Rafael in November and Hurricane Ian in 2022, both of which ravaged the western tobacco growing provinces of Artemisa and Pinar del Rio, damaging infrastructure and crops. Jose Maria Lopez, a Habanos vice president for development, told Reuters at the company's annual festival outside Havana that tobacco production was "guaranteed" for its cigar-making despite recent natural disasters. "The total tobacco production in Cuba may be reduced but those are poorer quality tobaccos that would never enter the production of our export cigars," Lopez said. "Only a small part of all national tobacco production is dedicated to cigars, and that amount, from the highest quality leaves, is guaranteed," he added. Cuba's luxuriously smooth tobacco has long topped the cigar industry, with aficionados touting the Caribbean island's unique variety of tobacco, rich soils, and ideal climate - as well as Habanos' insistence on rolling its cigars by hand. Executives told reporters that China once again topped sales in terms of value, followed by Spain, Switzerland, Britain and Germany. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
24-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Cuba's top cigarmaker breaks record with sales of $827 million in 2024
HAVANA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Cuba's top cigar maker Habanos said on Monday that sales of the company's luxurious smokes had soared to a record $827 million in 2024 as revenue poured in from fast-growing markets in China and elsewhere in Asia. Habanos Vice President Jorge Perez said revenue jumped 16% over the previous year as the company reaped high-end demand from a growing class of wealthy smokers in Asia, a region which now accounts for nearly one-quarter of the company's sales globally. Cuba's cigar business, together with rum exports, is among the crisis-racked country's last thriving export industries and critically important for raising foreign currency necessary to buy food, fuel and medicine. Habanos S.A. is owned 50% by Cuba's communist-run government and 50% by a consortium of Asian investors under the umbrella group Tabacalera. Soaring sales in 2024 came even as Cuban growers struggle to recover from Hurricane Rafael in November and Hurricane Ian in 2022, both of which ravaged the western tobacco growing provinces of Artemisa and Pinar del Rio, damaging infrastructure and crops. Jose Maria Lopez, a Habanos vice president for development, told Reuters at the company's annual festival outside Havana that tobacco production was "guaranteed" for its cigar-making despite recent natural disasters. "The total tobacco production in Cuba may be reduced but those are poorer quality tobaccos that would never enter the production of our export cigars," Lopez said. "Only a small part of all national tobacco production is dedicated to cigars, and that amount, from the highest quality leaves, is guaranteed," he added. Cuba's luxuriously smooth tobacco has long topped the cigar industry, with aficionados touting the Caribbean island's unique variety of tobacco, rich soils, and ideal climate - as well as Habanos' insistence on rolling its cigars by hand. Executives told reporters that China once again topped sales in terms of value, followed by Spain, Switzerland, Britain and Germany.
