JT’s domestic cigarettes sales during first 10 months up by 9.4 per cent

Japan Tobacco Inc’s domestic cigarette sales volume during January, at 8.5 billion, was down by 0.8 per cent on its January 2012 volume, 8.6 billion, which itself was increased by 0.9 per cent on that of January 2011, according to preliminary figures issued by the company today.

Volume during the 10 months, April 2012-January 2013, at 97.9 billion, was up by 9.4 per cent on its April 2011-January 2012 volume, 89.4 billion, which was down by 22.5 per cent on that of April 2010-January 2011.

JT’s market share stood at 58.5 per cent in January, at 59.5 per cent during April 2012-January 2013, and at 54.9 for the full year to the end of March 2012.

JT has suffered huge domestic 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 2011.

JT’s domestic cigarette revenue during January, at ¥46.7 billion, was down by 0.7 per cent on its January 2012 revenue, ¥47.1 billion, which was up by 0.4 per cent on that of January 2011.

Revenue during April 2012-January 2013, at ¥538.7 billion, was up by 9.6 per cent on its revenue during April 2011-January 2012, ¥491.7 billion, which was down by 3.6 per cent on that of April 2010-January 2011.