JTI’s sales volume increased in August

Japan Tobacco Inc’s domestic cigarette sales volume during August, at 10.5 billion, was up by 2.6 per cent on its August 2011 volume, 10.3 billion, which itself was down by 21.3 per cent on that of August 2010, according to preliminary figures issued by the company on Friday.

Volume during the five months, April-August, at 50.1 billion, was up by 21.7 per cent on its April-August 2011 volume, 41.1 billion, which itself was down by 33.6 per cent on that of April-August 2010.

JT’s market share for April-August 2012 was 59.5 per cent, against 54.9 per cent for the full year to the end of March.

JT has suffered huge volume swings in recent times because of an unprecedented, mainly tax-driven price hike on October 1, 2010, and the massive disruption caused to the company’s manufacturing and distribution operations following the earthquake and tsunami of March 11 last year.

JT’s domestic cigarette revenue during August, at ¥58.0 billion, was up by 2.5 per cent on its August 2011 revenue, ¥56.6 billion, which itself was up by 6.6 per cent on that of August 2010.

Revenue during April-August 2012, at ¥275.7 billion, was up by 22.2 per cent on its revenue during April-August 2011, ¥225.6 billion, which itself was down by 10.1 per cent on that of April-August 2010.