Dominican tobacco is exported to 148 countries

Santo Domingo.- Dominican tobacco is exported to 148 countries, generating more than US$1,340 million a year in exports, said the director of the Tobacco Institute of the Dominican Republic (Intabaco), Iván Hernández Guzmán.

Hernández Guzmán indicated that the countries where the Dominican cigar is exported the most annually are the United States, generating US$996 million, which represents 74.33% of exports, followed by China with U$74 million and 5.53%, Germany produces U$60 million with 4.45%, Belgium U$26 million with 1.93%, Nicaragua U$22 million with 1.63%, Puerto Rico with U$18 million and 1.31% and Spain generating U$15 million, which represents 1.21% of exports.

The director of Intabaco pointed out that other countries where the highest exports are registered are Puerto Rico, Spain, Honduras, Canada, and Hong Kong, generating more than 10 million dollars a year, as well as Turkey, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Panama and Cuba with more than 4 million dollars per year, according to 2024 data.

The official stressed that Dominican cigars are recognized as the best worlds for their high quality and exceptional flavor, thanks to the combination of the ideal climate and soil for cultivation, along with the experience and craftsmanship of local producers.

The most exported cigars are Premium, machine, and artisanal cigars, and the shipping process takes great care of temperature, humidity, physical protection, and logistics management, explained the official.

Even though our main markets are the United States, China, and Germany, Dominican cigars are also sold in faraway places such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and others.

US market

The United States is our main export destination because it has high purchasing power, a culture of quality cigar consumption, and an infrastructure that facilitates the distribution and expansion of the product.

Tariffs are relatively low, and we enjoy exemptions under trade agreements such as DR-CAFTA. The Dominican cigars most exported to that nation are premium and artisanal cigars.

Expansion into other markets

The Tobacco Institute, along with the Ministries of Industry and Commerce, Tourism, ProDominicana, and other public and private institutions, works to expand the export markets for Dominican cigars.

Iván Hernández Guzmán reported that with this expansion, more foreign exchange would be generated for the Dominican economy, and greater sources of jobs would be created, highlighting that the tobacco industry is the main generator of jobs in free zones of the DR with more than 40 thousand employees and 110 thousand in general.

He announced that Intabaco will continue to promote and implement public policies for the tobacco industry’s sustainable development, guarantee production quality, support producers, and offer technical assistance and training.

“The tobacco of the Dominican Republic is considered a country brand and is recognized for its premium cigars that are highly appreciated nationally and internationally, so from the Government and the private sector we are working for its greater promotion, expansion and support,” said the official.