Cuban Cigar Sales Fall Again ... and Faster

Cuban cigar sales are off yet again, and there's plenty of blame to go around. Global economic conditions have constrained consumer spending, and smoking bans worldwide have made it harder to find a place to light up.

The quality issue can't be ignored, as well, with many cigar smokers finding that a Cuban cigar just isn't what it used to be.

Habanos S.A., the government-run company behind the Cuban cigar industry, has reported a substantial decline in sales for the second year in a row. In 2009, the company's top line fell 8% to $360 million, which came after a 3% drop to $390 milion from 2007 to 2008.

The embargo severely restricts access to American cigar smokers, who may purchase them outside the country or illegally at home, which means that Habanos relies largely on the non-U.S. market. Spain is Habanos' largest market, and a weak Spanish economy in 2009, characterized by rising unemployment, provided a tough environment for Habanos.

The travel market recession has also hurt Habanos, particularly in airport duty-free shops.

Habanos Vice President Manuel Garcia said during a news conference at the beginning of Cuba's five-day yearly cigar festival, "This is not what we were expecting, not what we hoped for anyway."

ROFLMAO @ your new graphic. Too cute!

So...what am I going to DO? I’m going to be FIFTY this summer and as you know, I allow myself one ‘ladylike’ cee-gar on my birthday each year.

I want it to be REALLY special and REALLY good this year.

What to buy for my 50th? Price is no object. This is MY 50th Birthday we’re talkin’ about here! I might even buy a whole box for my gal pals, too!

(We do have a Cigar & Spirits Shop that hasn’t been run out of town on a rail by the Commie LefTards. Yet. So I can shop local or at least have them order in something special for moi!)

The Cubans are in for a very big suprise when the U.S. market is finally opened up to them (again).

1. First mistake they will make is over-pricing their cigars. They will think that Americans, the biggest market in the world, will gladly pay obviously too much for a cigar, just being glad to have a Cuban cigar once again. But the Cuban cigar of today is not even a shadow of its former, pre-Castro self. Castro and his ilk completely destroyed the Cuban cigar industry, nationalizing it and driving away all the best cigar people.

2. Most (not all) of those who enjoyed Cuban cigars back in the late 50's - early 60's are either gone to that great cigar bar in the sky, or don't smoke anymore. Most cigar smoking Americans grew up on Dominicans, Nicaraguans, Costa Ricans, and Hondurans. These smokes are milder and smoother than even the old pre-Castro Cuban cigars. Most of today's American cigar smokers probably will not like today's Cuban cigars, finding them too strong. Now, a pre-Castro Cuban cigar would be a delight to any cigar smoker, if found in perfect condition.

There will be an initial jump in Cuban cigar sales, as we will all want to get our hands on a real Cuban cigar. But the novelty will wear off quickly enough, as people will be turned off by the over-priced smokes. People will eventually start to think and talk about how their old Dominican or Costa Rican cigar was cheaper and, well, just better, than what Cuba has to offer. Hopefully, Cuba will realize all this sooner rather than later and increase quality and drop the prices. Only then will we ever get the old, pre-Castro Cuban cigar of old back.

What to buy for my 50th? Price is no object. This is MY 50th Birthday we’re talkin’ about here! I might even buy a whole box for my gal pals, too!

I would suggest a Macanudo Hampton Court. Comes in a white aluminum case. A bit more "robust" would be Macanudo's HC in the green aluminum case. Very nice creamy, nutty flavor. And it's a corona - not big or fat at all.

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