Cubans still on top

James Leavey interviews Manuel Garcia, Habanos SA’s commercial vice-president

Manuel Garcia Morejon, the commercial vice-president of Habanos SA. Based in Havana, 47-year-old Garcia has been working in the Cuban cigar industry since 1989 when he joined Cubatabaco (now Habanos SA) from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade. He spent sixyears as managing director of 5th Avenue Products, Habanos SA’s exclusive distributor in Germany, before returning to Havana in 1996 to take up the top, worldwide commercial job. He is also a non-executive director of Hunters & Frankau Ltd.

JL: What is the current world market for Havana cigars?

MM: Havana’s market share is about 70 per cent of the total volume and 80 per cent in value, worldwide, excluding the USA.

JL: How important is the United Kingdom market?

MG: The UK has traditionally been one of the main markets for Havanas in Europe. This importance is explained not only by the sales volume but mainly because of the characteristics of the English consumer.

In general, the UK market is very sophisticated and this is demonstrated by the knowledge that the trade and Britain’s cigar smokers have about our products. Many of the main London cigar shops have been meeting points for famous smokers for centuries. For Habanos SA, the UK is a stable market with a slight trend to increase the volume sales.

However, in the light of the new antismoking regulations and the heavy tax burden, we cannot foresee a big increase in sales. Habanos SA has always taken special care of the UK market providing it with high quality pro.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By James Leavey

Section : International Focus

Page number : 22

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 6 on 11/11/2005.

This article is 81 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Cubans still on top James Leavey interviews Manuel Garcia, Habanos SA’s commercial vice-president Manuel Garcia Morejon, the commercial vice-president of Habanos SA. Based in Havana, 47-year-old Garcia has been working in the Cuban cigar industry since 1989 when he joined Cubatabaco (now Habanos SA) from the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade. He spent sixyears as managing director of 5th Avenue Products, Habanos SA’s exclusive distributor in Germany, before returning to Havana in 1996 to take up the top, worldwide commercial job. He is also a non-executive director of Hunters & Frankau Ltd. JL: What is the current world market for Havana cigars? MM: Havana’s market share is about 70 per cent of the total volume and 80 per cent in value, worldwide, excluding the USA. JL: How important is the United Kingdom market? MG: The UK has traditionally been one of the main markets for Havanas in Europe. This importance is explained not only by the sales volume but mainly because of the characteristics of the English consumer. In general, the UK market is very sophisticated and this is demonstrated by the knowledge that the trade and Britain’s cigar smokers have about our products. Many of the main London cigar shops have been meeting points for famous smokers for centuries. For Habanos SA, the UK is a stable market with a slight trend to increase the volume sales. However, in the light of the new antismoking regulations and the heavy tax burden, we cannot foresee a big increase in sales. Habanos SA has always taken special care of the UK market providing it with high quality pro..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By James Leavey Section : International Focus Page number : 22 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 6 on 11/11/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 81 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.