Registration for the 2027 Puro Sabor Festival in Nicaragua opens today (July 10) at 7 p.m. ET for the event, which will take place Jan. 25-30, 2027. The annual festival offers attendees an in-depth look at Nicaragua’s premium cigar industry through visits to tobacco farms, processing facilities, and more than 20 participating cigar manufacturers, including AJ Fernandez, Drew Estate, Joya de Nicaragua, My Father Cigars, Oliva, Padrón, Perdomo, Plasencia, and Scandinavian Tobacco Group. Tickets are priced at $3,000 for a single attendee or $5,600 for two sharing a room, covering accommodations, meals, local transportation, premium cigars, and festival activities, but excluding airfare.
Tag: nicaragua
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PCA Announces Cigar Business Program in Nicaragua
The Premium Cigar Association, in partnership with Keiser University Latin American Campus and the Cámara Nicaragüense de Tabacaleros, launched a certified executive education program, “The Business of Premium Cigars: Strategy, Operations, Branding, and Experiences That Build Legacy,” aimed at strengthening leadership and strategic knowledge in the global premium cigar industry. Introduced at a luncheon in Estelí, Nicaragua, the program will feature instruction from renowned cigar makers, founders, and industry leaders over four full-day sessions in June 2026, totaling 32 hours of in-person training at Keiser University’s Managua campus.
Designed for owners, executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and cigar enthusiasts, the curriculum covers strategy, operations, branding, finance, and international trade, providing participants with hands-on insights into building, positioning, and growing premium cigar enterprises while preserving the industry’s heritage and global legacy.
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No Injuries Reported at Plasencia Cigars Farm Fire
Plasencia Cigars confirmed that a fire broke out Friday, Feb. 13, at one of its farms in Nicaragua, but said the situation was quickly contained with no injuries reported. The company activated its emergency action plans and safety protocols immediately, coordinating response efforts with local authorities to bring the incident under control. Plasencia expressed gratitude to the Estelí Fire Department and first responders for their swift and professional response, adding that operations continue without interruption.
Néstor Andrés Plasencia, a fifth-generation member of the Plasencia cigar family, said the company was thankful the fire was contained and that employees were safe. He also acknowledged the support of fellow manufacturers in Estelí, describing the cigar community’s solidarity as a reflection of the collaborative spirit that defines the region’s tobacco industry.
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U.S. Cigar Imports Up 4.6% in 2025
Handmade cigar imports to the United States continue to rise, according to new data released this week by the Cigar Association of America (CAA), signaling sustained growth in the premium cigar market. Imports for the first three quarters of 2025 totaled 318.6 million cigars, a 4.6% increase compared with the same period in 2024, according to Cigar Aficionado.
Nicaragua remained the dominant supplier, accounting for 190.4 million cigars, up 2.1% year over year. The Dominican Republic followed with 69.9 million cigars, a 3.8% increase, while Honduras recorded the fastest growth among the top producers, with shipments jumping 14.8% to 55.5 million cigars. Together, the three countries accounted for more than 99% of all handmade cigar imports.
The largest monthly surge occurred in March, when imports rose 29% compared with March 2024, following the announcement of the Trump administration’s “Liberation Day” tariffs affecting cigar-producing countries. In 2024, U.S. imports reached 430 million handmade cigars, up 0.9% from 2023. If current trends hold, 2025 is on pace to mark the fifth consecutive year with more than 400 million handmade cigars imported into the U.S.
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Cigars Expected to Miss Upcoming Nicaraguan Tariffs
The U.S. government’s newly announced 15% tariff on select Nicaraguan imports is not expected to apply to cigars, according to industry sources and trade officials. The tariffs—introduced as part of a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) investigation into Nicaragua’s human rights violations—will apply only to products not covered by the CAFTA-DR trade agreement, which shields qualifying Nicaraguan cigars that meet “Rules of Origin” requirements.
Under the schedule, affected goods will face 0% additional tariff in 2026, 10% in 2027, and 15% in 2028, on top of an existing 18% Trump-era tariff that remains tied up in ongoing litigation. Should both apply, some products could face 33% tariffs by 2028, though cigars are widely expected to remain exempt as long as CAFTA-DR protections stand.
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Nicaraguan Cigars Could Face 100% Tariff
The U.S. is considering imposing new tariffs of up to 100% on imports from Nicaragua or revoking the country’s benefits under a free trade deal, the White House’s Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced yesterday (October 20). According to Reuters, the report cites Nicaragua’s “abuses of labor rights, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of rule of law” as creating a burden on U.S. commerce. Nicaragua and its President Daniel Ortega have faced international scrutiny for cracking down on dissidents, local journalists, and non-governmental organizations in recent years. The proposed tariffs stem from a “Section 301” unfair trade practices investigation initiated during the final days of the Biden administration, with President Trump set to make the final decision.
The proposed tariffs could have a significant impact on the cigar market, as Nicaragua is the largest exporter of handmade cigars to the United States. Currently, these cigars face an 18% tariff, but a 100% tariff would sharply raise costs for U.S. importers and consumers. According to Cigar Aficionado, industry analysts estimate the price increase could range from 50 cents to $1 per cigar, with higher increases in states with additional tobacco taxes. This could affect consumer demand and shift purchasing behavior, potentially slowing sales of Nicaraguan cigars in the U.S.
Cigar companies have indicated that current supply deals may remain unaffected in the short term, but price increases are likely once tariffs are implemented, according to Halfwheel. The industry is closely monitoring the situation as the public consultation period on the proposed tariffs concludes November 19, after which the final decision is expected.
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Oliva Launches ‘Year of the Dragon’ Cigar
Nicaragua-based Oliva Cigars has partnered with China Duty Free Group (CDFG) to launch a limited-edition “Year of the Dragon” premium cigar line.
The MSRP has been set at $35 per cigar or $350 per box of 10 cigars. Production is limited to 1,500 boxes, and they are expected to go on sale in mid-February.
Each box features a dragon design, paying homage to the creature and the spirit of the Chinese New Year.
Credit: Oliva The Year of the Dragon is a Churchhill produced in Oliva’s factory in Esteli, Nicaragua, and features an Ecuadorian Habano sun-grown wrapper over a Nicaraguan binder and Nicaraguan fillers.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Oliva Year of the Dragon Churchill Cigar in celebration of the Chinese New Year in cooperation with CDFG,” Oliva Cigars Export Manager Thomas Gryson said in a press release. “This limited-edition collection is a true embodiment of our dedication to quality and craftsmanship.
“We have carefully curated this offering to provide aficionados with a unique and culturally significant cigar experience, making it a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.”