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Tag: Habanos

  • Habanos Reports $721 Million Turnover

    Habanos Reports $721 Million Turnover

    Photo: Corporacion Habanos

    Corporacion Habanos generated revenues of $721 million in 2023, up 31 percent compared to the previous year.

    “The achievements of Habanos S.A. during 2023 are the result of the recognition of the unique origin of our tobacco, the strength and prestige of our brands, and, of course, the passion shared by all those involved in this fascinating world of Habanos,” Habanos’ co-presidents, Maritza Carrillo Gonzalez and Luis Sanchez-Harguindey, were quoted as saying in a press note.

    “Thus, we celebrate 30 years of Corporacion Habanos, S.A., offering unparalleled moments and experiences to all lovers of premium tobacco in every corner of the world.”

    With 27 brands and a presence in more than 130 countries, Habanos attributed its performance to “excellence, tradition and innovation.”

    The company’s products are available on five continents. During 2023, the markets that contributed most to Habanos’ sales volume were Spain, France, China, Germany and Switzerland. By region, Europe remains the leading market for Habanos, accounting for 56 percent of total sales value, followed by Asia (21 percent), the Americas (13 percent) and Africa and the Middle East (10 percent).

    In 2023, the company launched 31 new products, including Cohiba Siglo de Oro, Cohiba Ideales, Romeo y Julieta Cupidos, Hoyo de Monterrey Monterreyes No. 4 and Bolivar New Gold Medal.

    During the Habano Festival this week, the company will be unveiling several additional products.

  • Cigar Lovers Gear Up for Habano Festival

    Cigar Lovers Gear Up for Habano Festival

    Photo: Habanos

    Havana is decked out to welcome experts and premium tobacco enthusiasts at the 24th Habano Festival, to be held from Feb. 26-March 1, 2024. This year, the festival not only honors the rich heritage and tradition of Cuban tobacco with special celebrations for the anniversaries of renowned brands such as Quai D’Orsay and Trinidad, but will also look back on 30 years of success for Corporacion Habanos.

    The Festival will kick off with the opening of the trade fair, a key meeting point for industry professionals, manufacturers of premium products and artisans, which this year welcomes 85 companies from 11 countries. That same night, the Club Habana will be the venue for the welcome evening, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Corporacion Habano.

    The Quai D’Orsay brand will be the star of the mid-week Evening at the Cubanacán Protocol Lounge in El Laguito. During the event, attendees will participate in a tribute to the brand’s 50th anniversary and discover this special vitola, in its world premiere presentation.

    The Gala Evening will take place in Hall C of the Pabexpo Fairgrounds. This will mark the beginning of the “Trinidad Year,” during which its 55th anniversary will be celebrated, and some of the most important launches for the brand will be enjoyed. On this last night, as on previous occasions, awards will be presented to the winners of the final of the Habanos World Challenge contest as well as to the winners of the long-awaited Habanos Awards, a worldwide recognition to those who in 2023 supported Habanos the most in terms of communication, business, and production. The final highlight will be the traditional Humidor Auction, which this year will feature novelties for attendees, and whose proceeds will go, as usual, to support the Cuban Public Health System.

    The traditional visits to plantations will take place in the zone of Vuelta Abajo, in the Pinar del Río, recognized worldwide as the best land to grow tobacco. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the Habanos factories of La Corona, Partagás, H. Upmann and Carlos Baliño, where they will be able to learn first-hand about the “Totally Handmade” Habano-making process and take part in a Habano-rolling master class in which they will be able to make their own Habano.

    The international seminar will feature presentations such as “Two Cities United by Habanos,” focusing on the Quai D’Orsay brand, and the panel “Trinidad: Past, Present and Future” which will delve into one of Habanos’ most prestigious brands. Besides, exclusive pairings will be offered, such as Taittinger champagne with Habanos Trinidad, Quai D’Orsay and San Cristóbal de Havana. Or the very popular Habanos Moments with the best rums and the finest wines. The seminar will close with the final of the Habanos World Challenge contest, where aficionados will be able to put their Habano knowledge and skills to the test to prove they are the most knowledgeable as far as the universe of Habanos is concerned.

  • Registration Opens for 2024 Habano Festival

    Registration Opens for 2024 Habano Festival

    Registration for the 2024 Habano Festival is now available through an online accreditation system at https://registrations.habanos.com. Those hopeful to attend can review all activities and make a payment online with a credit card.

    Typically, registration for the event happens in November of the previous year. This year, registration was delayed by approximately two months. No reason was given by Habanos for the delay.

    The registration period for the Habano Festival will be open from January 30th to February 12th or until the slots available are exhausted.

    “Once payment has been made, you will receive an email with a QR code which you may present it per activity, either on your phone or printed, along with the physical invitation given to you at Palco Hotel, Convention Center, Havana,” the release states. “Thank you for your interest; we look forward to seeing you at the most important Premium tobacco event in the world: the Habano Festival.”

    The events and costs are:

    • Welcome Evening — €530 ($574) — Event commemorating the 30th anniversary of Habanos S.A. to be held at Club Havana;
    • Visit to Plantations in the Pinar del Río region — €170 ($184)
    • International Seminar — €425 ($460);
    • Mid-week Evening — €745 ($807)— Event celebrating 50th anniversary of Quai D’Orsay brand to be held at the El Laguito Protocol Room;
    • Visit to Habanos Factories — €200 ($216);
    • Gala Evening — €1,325 ($1,436) — Dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the Trinidad brand to be held at Pabexpo.

    The exclusive cigar event is to be held in Havana from Feb. 26 – to March 1, 2024.

    Payments in Cuba can also be placed through Havanatur, according to Habanos. For further information, email Havanatur at eventos@havanatur.cu

    Habanos, S.A., the state-run distributor of global Cuban cigars, said in a release that its annual event is “in an international and exclusive atmosphere,” and it will include a wide-ranging program of activities combining the knowledge of the Habano and the exciting culture, including the ending final evening gala dinner and famed humidor auction.

    “In this XXIV Edition, the best specialists, distributors and aficionados will enjoy all the activities that, along with the best gastronomy and music, have made this famous event: visits to renowned Habanos factories, plantations, seminars with interesting lectures, exclusives pairings, contests and three very special nights where they will get a sneak preview of the latest Habanos, S.A. novelties,” the release states.

    Habanos, S.A. is already “working to make this event memorable for the expectations of aficionados with the passion and magic they have come to expect from each new edition.”

  • Habanos Announces Habano Festival Dates

    Habanos Announces Habano Festival Dates

    Credit: Timothy S Donahue

    The dates for the XXIV Edition of the Habano Festival, have been announced. The exclusive cigar event is to be held in Havana from Feb. 26 – to March 1, 2024.

    Habanos, S.A., the state-run distributor of global Cuban cigars, said in a release that its annual event is “in an international and exclusive atmosphere,” and it will include a wide-ranging program of activities combining the knowledge of the Habano and the exciting culture, including the ending final evening gala dinner and famed humidor auction.

    “In this XXIV Edition, the best specialists, distributors and aficionados will enjoy all the activities that along with the best gastronomy and music have made this famous event: visits to renowned Habanos factories, plantations, seminars with interesting lectures, exclusives pairings, contests and three very special nights where they will get a sneak preview of the latest Habanos, S.A. novelties,” the release states. 

    Habanos, S.A. is already “working to make this event memorable for the expectations of aficionados with the passion and magic that they have come to expect from each new edition.”

    More details on the Habano Festival will be announced soon and registration will be open to the public.

  • Habanos Operational Marketing Director

    Habanos Operational Marketing Director

    Beatriz Garrido García

    Habanos, S.A., the distribution arm of Cuban cigars, announced today that Beatriz Garrido García has been appointed as the new operational marketing director.

    Garrido has a degree in Scientific and Technical Information. She has been linked to the world of Habanos since 1997, starting as a commercial information specialist for the Operational Marketing Division, according to a press release.

    In 2001, she served as a market intelligence specialist belonging to the Strategic Marketing management.

    Later on, her career was consolidated and in 2009 she was appointed to the position of market supervisor at Tabacalera S.L.U., until 2013.

    She then began to work in commercial management as an international saleswoman. In 2017, she served as corporate director for Phoenicia Trading, the exclusive distributor of Habanos for Africa and Middle East.

    Later, she held the position of commercial director of Cigarte Ibérica based in Spain. Before being appointed as operational marketing director, Garrido served as international market supervisor.

  • New Habanos Vitola for Duty-Free Shops

    New Habanos Vitola for Duty-Free Shops

    Habanos S.A., the state-run distribution arm of Cuban cigars, announced a new size of the Hoyo de Monterrey called the Destinos.

    The new vitola will be exclusive to duty-free shops at travel ports around the world, excluding the United States.

    The Destinos measures 5 and  7/10 (145mm) x 49 and was unveiled during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes, France. This is an event for duty-free retailers.

    “The Hoyo de Monterrey Destinos travel humidor is a perfect choice for Habanos-loving travelers who enjoy thick-gauge vitolas and appreciate the light strength that is a hallmark of the Hoyo de Monterrey brand,” a Habnaos representative told Tobacco Reporter. “This is a great opportunity to enjoy all the aromas and flavors of Hoyo de Monterrey’s blend anywhere in the world.”

    Within the general Cuban naming system, this will be known as the sutiles and is reportedly the first Cuban cigar made in this size.

    It will be available in “travel humidors” in counts of 20 sticks. There was no timeline for release or pricing given.

  • Habano Festival Concludes With Gala

    Habano Festival Concludes With Gala

    Photo: Timothy Donahue

    The 23rd Habano Festival culminated March 3 with the gala dinner held at the Pabexpo Fairgrounds in Havana. Around 1,200 attendees enjoyed the night complemented by national and international music, dance and indoor fireworks. The gala was also honored by the presence of Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel, who attended the event along with other government authorities.

    The evening paid tribute to the Partagas brand with the launch of the Linea Maestra, the brand’s most premium line, made up of three new vitolas: Origen (46 ring gauge x 154 mm length), Rito (52 ring gauge x 168 mm length) and Maestro (56 ring gauge x 132 mm length). Each of these vitolas will reach the market in a special case containing 20 units.

    For the first time in the history of the brand and the Habanos portfolio, the vitolas of this new Partagas line will be made with 100 percent tobacco grown in San Luis, in the Vuelta Abajo plantations located in the Pinar del Rio region.

    The gala night also featured a Hall of Fame that illustrated the great work of the people who have made the Habano what it is today.

    One of the highlights of the evening was the auction of the exclusive humidors dedicated to the six global Habanos brands: Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas, Hoyo de Monterrey and H. Upmann. The proceeds reached a total of €11,220,000 ($11,965,309) and will be donated to the Cuban public healthcare system.

  • Habanos Revenues Reach $545 Million

    Habanos Revenues Reach $545 Million

    Credit: Timothy S. Donahue

    Habanos S.A. has announced it generated $545 million in revenue in 2022. It’s nearly a 2 percent boost over its 2021 revenue, a representative of the manufacturing and distribution arm of the Cuban cigar industry told Tobacco Reporter during its coverage of the 23rd edition of the Habano Festival on Monday.

    The company also stated that its largest markets for cigar sales are Spain, France, Germany, China and Switzerland, consecutively. These are the same five top countries as 2021, though China was listed second and France was listed fourth.

    Globally, Europe, with a 53.7 percent market share, continues to hold the top spot for regional sales, however, its percentage was the only region to experience a decline in sales. Europe is followed by the Asia-Pacific region (19.3 percent), the Americas (15.3 percent), and Africa/Middle East (11.7 percent).

    “These results reflect the perfect combination of the passion we all feel in this wonderful Habano business and the strength of our brands,” said Maritza Carrillo González and Luis Sánchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera, co-presidents of Habanos S.A., in a press release. “They put the cherry on top of the unique tobacco that grows in this land and that offers unparalleled moments and experiences to aficionados from all over the world.”

    Habanos says it grew its worldwide network of official sales outlets by 10 percent in 2022. It also announced the current count of its cigar retail experiences as follows:

    • 17 Cohiba Atmosphere locations (20 in 2021)
    • 157 La Casa del Habano stores (160 in 2021)
    • 1,264 Habanos Specialists (1,217 in 2021)
    • 2,744 Habanos Point designated stores (2,465 in 2021)
    • 587 Habanos Lounge and Habanos Terrace locations (486 in 2021)

    Last year, Habanos S.A. announced a new “global pricing standard,” which greatly increased the prices of Cuban cigars around the world. The company has already announced at least two additional price increases for 2023.

    Habanos reported a turnover of $568 million in 2021, up 15 percent growth over the previous year.

  • Cuba Gears Up for Habanos Festival

    Cuba Gears Up for Habanos Festival

    Photo: Habanos

    Habanos is gearing up to celebrate the 23rd edition of its Habano Festival in Havana, Feb. 27 to March 3, the company announced in a press note.

    The state-run tobacco firm has prepared a host of activities, workshops, lectures and presentations to share knowledge of its tradition and value chain. It expects guests from more than 110 countries.

    The 23rd edition of the Habano Festival kicks off with the opening of the trade fair. This year’s edition brings together more than 270 exhibitors from 10 countries. That same night, Club Habana will host a Welcome Evening, which will revolve around Montecristo and its much-appreciated Línea Open.

    The mid-week evening will take place at El Laguito Protocol Room and will feature Bolívar and La Casa del Habano. It will celebrate the brand’s 121 years and the worldwide importance of the international network of franchised specialized stores with the presentation of a new vitola.

    The grand finale will be the March 3 gala dinner at Pabexpo. This evening will be dedicated to Partagás. One of the most important moments of the festival will be the Habanos Awards Ceremony and the traditional humidor auction, whose proceeds will go, as is customary, to the Cuban public health system.

    In parallel with the festival, Fernando González García, president of the Cuban Association of Vitolfilia, and Zoe Nocedo, member of the association, will present a seminar at the Havana Convention Center, titled “The Partagás brand as seen through Vitolfilia.”

    Throughout the week, the same venue will host masterclasses on the Habanos-making process, as well as tastings and pairings with different products.

    Visitors will also experience a new edition of the Habanos World Challenge in which contestants demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of the different stages of Habano making and enjoyment.

    The program of activities at the 23rd Habano Festival will be rounded out by visits to plantations, which this year will take place in in the Vuelta Abajo zone, in the Pinar del Río region, as well as visits to the Partagás and La Corona factories.

  • Habanos Appoints First Woman as Co-President

    Habanos Appoints First Woman as Co-President

    Maritza Carrillo González (Credit: Habanos S.A.)

    Habanos S.A., the manufacturing and distribution arm of the Cuban cigar industry, has announced that Maritza Carrillo González has been appointed as its new co-president after being approved by Habanos shareholders.

    Carrillo’s promotion is “endorsed by the experience, knowledge and work she has been performing for several years in different positions within Habanos, S.A. and other entities related to Habanos,” according to a release.

    She is the first woman to serve as co-president of the company. She is rumored to be replacing Inocente Núñez Blanco as one of the company’s two co-presidents alongside fellow co-president Luis Sánchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera.

    Carrillo holds a degree in International Economic Relations and has been linked to the world of Habanos since serving as a founding team member of the company.

    She has held various responsibilities in the commercial, marketing and business development divisions of Habanos.

    From 2006 to 2011, she served as marketing director and head of Havanesa stores at Empor, S.A. (the exclusive Habanos distributor in Portugal).

    In 2011, she was promoted to serve as business development director of the company.

    She later assumed the position of president of Comercial Iberoamericana S.A. (COIBA) based in Spain.

    In 2021, Carillo became general manager of Tabagest S.A., where served until her recent appointment as co-president of Habanos.

    The move comes as the company is preparing for the 23rd edition of the Habanos Festival taking place from Monday, Feb. 27th, to Friday, March 3rd. It is the premier event for the Cuban cigar industry.

    Habanos reported a turnover of $568 million in 2021, up 15 percent growth over the previous year.