JT’s first half sales up

Japan Tobacco Inc’s domestic cigarette sales volume during September, at 9.5 billion, was down by 2.8 per cent on its September 2011 volume, 9.8 billion, which itself was down by 60.4 per cent on that of September 2010, according to preliminary figures issued by the company today.

Volume during the six months, April-September, at 59.6 billion, was up by 17.0 per cent on its April-September 2011 volume, 50.9 billion, which was down by 41.2 per cent on that of April-September 2010.

JT’s market share for April-September 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 September, at ¥52.2 billion, was down by 2.9 per cent on its September 2011 revenue, ¥53.8 billion, which itself was down by 46.1 per cent on that of September 2010.

Revenue during April-September, at ¥327.9 billion, was up by 17.4 per cent on its revenue during April-September 2011, ¥279.4 billion, which was down by 20.4 per cent on that of April-September 2010.