As the final numbers roll in for 2024, the U.S. cigar import market reveals a picture of subtle recalibration — not retreat. Total unit imports across large cigars and little cigars dipped slightly compared to 2023, but average value rose, and premium cigars held steady. The broader story is one of resilience, strategic refinement, and a consumer base showing continued interest in higher-quality cigars.
One noteworthy development: little cigars nearly doubled in volume, driven by a new wave of 100% tobacco machine-made production in Honduras. But even with that growth, little cigars remain just a 2.2% share of total imported units. The core of the market — and of this story — remains large cigars, especially as the segment shifts away from lower-cost, high-volume products toward more value-driven tiers.
Total Market Overview: Volume Softness, Value Strength
In 2024, total large cigar imports reached 8.26 billion units, a 1.7% decline from 2023. This modest drop is tied largely to reductions in the lowest-value tier (under $0.15 per cigar). Yet despite the dip in volume, total import value climbed to $1.43 billion, and the average value per 1,000 cigars rose by 3% — signaling a meaningful pivot in the market.
Meanwhile, little cigar imports jumped from 97 million to 193 million units — a +98.5% increase. This growth is largely attributable to new Honduran production of machine-made, 100% tobacco little cigars classified under HTS 2402.10.8030. Still, little cigars made up just 2.2% of the total market in 2024 and remain a peripheral development.
Total cigar leaf tobacco imports declined 7.6% in 2024, down 1.4 million kg to 16.9 million kg. This follows previous declines in 2022 and 2023 and reflects changes in sourcing strategies, efficiency improvements, and inventory cycles.
Cigar Import Trends at Year-End: Comparing 2024 to 2023
(Units Legend: B = billions; M = millions)
| U.S. Imports | 2024 YTD | 2023 YTD | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Cigars | 8.26B | 8.41B | (150M) | -1.7% |
| Little Cigars | 193M | 97M | 96M | +98.5% |
| Cigar Leaf Tobacco (KG) | 16.9M | 18.3M | (1.4M) | -7.6% |
Large Cigars
(Units in billions)
Little Cigars
(Units in millions)
Cigar Leaf Tobacco
(kg in millions)
Large Cigar Imports by HTS Code: Value Migration in Motion
The detailed HTS code breakdown for the four categories of large cigar imports reveals how the cigar market is subtly shifting up the value ladder:
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- HTS code 2402.10.3070 (U.S. Customs value under $0.15/unit): Fell 6%, losing 387 million units — still the largest segment by volume, but in steady decline.
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- HTS code 2402.10.6000 (U.S. Customs value $0.15–$0.229/unit): Grew 9%, adding 103 million units — reflecting stable demand in the mostly mid-tier popular price, machine-made segment.
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- HTS code 2402.10.8050 (U.S. Customs value $0.23–$0.76/unit): Soared 70%, up 129 million units — likely driven by product reclassification and rising manufacturing costs that pushed cigars into higher-value categories.
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- HTS code 2402.10.8080 (U.S. Customs value over $0.76/unit): Increased 3%, showing continued stability in the high-end, premium cigar segment.
The two charts below illustrate this value migration — declines in the lowest tier are being offset by gains in higher-value segments, not only due to shifting demand, but also because rising material and labor costs are pushing traditionally lower-priced cigars into higher Customs value categories. It’s a sign of both inflationary pressure and strategic repositioning, as the market adjusts to new cost realities while continuing to prioritize quality.
Large Cigar Imports (Lower HTS Codes)
(Units in millions)
Large Cigar Imports (Higher HTS Codes)
(Units in millions)
Little Cigars: A Niche with New Momentum
While still a small portion of the overall market, little cigar imports nearly doubled in 2024, rising from 97 million to 193 million units (+98.5%). This surge was fueled by a sharp increase in Honduran production of machine-made, 100% tobacco cigars — a new development within the higher-end segment of the little cigar category.
Honduras had no reported exports in this category as recently as 2022, making its emergence in 2024 noteworthy. Even more telling, the average value per 1,000 cigars rose from $58 to $148, a 153.6% jump, indicating a clear upmarket trend. While little cigars still represent just 2.2% of total cigar units, this growth signals evolving manufacturing strategies and a potential niche shift in consumer demand.
Premium Large Cigars: Holding the Line
Premium cigar imports totaled 430 million cigars in 2024, up 0.9% from 2023 and continuing to hold strong following the post-pandemic normalization in 2023. This marks a second year of steadiness after a major correction from 2022’s high of 465 million.
1. Year-to-Year Country Comparison (2024 vs. 2023)
This table below shows how key supplier countries performed in 2024 vs. 2023:
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- Nicaragua grew by 2.7%, adding 6.8 million cigars and maintaining its leadership position.
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- Dominican Republic fell 1.8%, likely due to increased focus on shipments of mass-market large cigars under HTS codes also used for premiums.
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- Honduras declined 3.3%, continuing a multi-year downward trend.
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- While still far behind the ‘Big Three’ in total volume, Costa Rica (+44.9%) and the Philippines (+74.9%) posted sharp percentage gains from relatively small bases — signaling early signs of possible market diversification and new sourcing dynamics.
Insight: The top three supplier countries still anchor the market, but second-tier producers are showing new momentum.
Estimate of Premium Large Cigar Imports
(Units in thousands)
| Country of Origin | YTD 2024 | YTD 2023 | Change | % Change | YTD 2024 | YTD 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $ VALUE PER 1,000 CIGARS | ||||||
| Nicaragua | 253,083 | 246,322 | 6,761 | +2.7% | $1,399 | $1,321 |
| Dominican Rep.* | 106,017 | 107,912 | -1,895 | -1.8% | N/A* | N/A* |
| Honduras | 67,366 | 69,663 | -2,297 | -3.3% | $1,308 | $1,270 |
| Costa Rica | 2,468 | 1,703 | 765 | +44.9% | $1,166 | $1,400 |
| Philippines | 974 | 557 | 417 | +74.9% | $306 | $272 |
| Mexico | 91 | 149 | -58 | -38.9% | $2,829 | $2,552 |
| Panama | 30 | 9 | 21 | +233.3% | $618 | $928 |
| Bahamas | 5 | 14 | -9 | -64.3% | $1,289 | $1,302 |
| TOTAL | 430,034 | 426,329 | 3,705 | +0.9% | ||
* Values not fully known for the Dominican Republic due to estimate based on units only.
2. Five-Year Country Trends Table (2020–2024)
Over the past five years, premium cigar imports have averaged approximately 417 million units annually, with volumes remaining strong despite a return to more normalized post-pandemic demand. While 2021 marked a temporary high point, the segment has since leveled out at a higher baseline than pre-COVID years, reflecting both market maturity and sustained consumer interest.
Insight: The boom may be behind us, but the foundation is strong. Premium cigars have settled into a healthy, reliable range — a testament to their lasting demand and strategic value for growers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers alike.
Estimate of Premium Large Cigar Imports (2020 -2024)
(Quantity in thousands)
| Country of Origin | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicaragua | 186,190 | 240,928 | 29.4% | ↑ | 250,715 | 4.1% | ↑ | 246,296 | -1.8% | ↓ | 253,083 | 2.8% | ↑ |
| Dominican Republic | 102,642 | 127,076 | 23.8% | ↑ | 128,817 | 1.4% | ↑ | 107,913 | -16.2% | ↓ | 106,017 | -1.8% | ↓ |
| Honduras | 71,160 | 84,223 | 18.4% | ↑ | 83,122 | -1.3% | ↓ | 69,663 | -16.2% | ↓ | 67,366 | -3.3% | ↓ |
| Costa Rica | 580 | 959 | 65.3% | ↑ | 1,007 | 5.0% | ↑ | 1,703 | 69.1% | ↑ | 2,468 | 44.9% | ↑ |
| Philippines | 583 | 646 | 10.8% | ↑ | 659 | 2.0% | ↑ | 557 | -15.5% | ↓ | 974 | 74.9% | ↑ |
| Mexico | 148 | 52 | -64.9% | ↓ | 64 | 23.1% | ↑ | 149 | 132.8% | ↑ | 91 | -38.9% | ↓ |
| Panama | 9 | 24 | 166.7% | ↑ | 24 | 0.0% | - | 14 | -41.7% | ↓ | 30 | 114.3% | ↑ |
| Bahamas | - | - | - | - | - | 9 | - | 5 | -44.4% | ↓ | |||
| TOTAL | 361,312 | 453,908 | 25.6% | ↑ | 464,408 | 2.3% | ↑ | 426,304 | -8.2% | ↓ | 430,034 | 0.9% | ↑ |
3. Quarterly Line Graph (Q1 2020 – Q4 2024)
The quarterly trend from 2020 through 2024 shows consistent seasonal peaks, especially in Q2 and Q4 — with Q4 2024 reaching 125 million units, one of the highest on record. Despite some fluctuations, the line graph illustrates a resilient and repeating demand pattern that speaks to importer confidence and stable consumer behavior.
Insight: While volumes rise and fall seasonally, the quarterly data confirms that premium cigars have become less volatile and more dependable — essential traits for long-term planning in manufacturing and supply chain strategy.
5-Year Quarterly Trend of Premium Large Cigar Imports (2020 - 2024)
(Quantity in millions)
4. Annual Bar Graph (2018–2024)
The seven-year bar chart reveals steady, long-term growth in premium large cigar imports, rising from 362 million units in 2018 to 430 million in 2024. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%, underscoring the segment’s resilience even amid broader economic uncertainty and shifting market dynamics.
Insight: Premium large cigars may be a niche by volume, but they carry outsized weight in value, brand identity, and consumer loyalty. Their consistent growth underscores the segment’s resilience and its role as a stabilizing force in an evolving market.
7-Year Trend of Estimated Premium Large Cigar Imports (2018–2024)
(Quantity in millions)
Final Takeaway: A Market Prioritizing Value, Stability, and Strategic Segments
In a year defined by economic headwinds and shifting supply dynamics, the U.S. cigar import market showed clear signs of strategic rebalancing. While total volume declined slightly, import value rose, and premium cigars held their ground — continuing to punch above their weight in sales and brand impact for stakeholders across the supply chain.
Little cigars posted a near 100% surge in imports — a noteworthy development driven by new Honduran production of 100% tobacco products. While still a relatively small share of the overall market, particularly in terms of sales dollars, this growth reflects an emerging shift in production strategy and niche segment activity.
The most significant movement, however, remains in the mid-tier and premium large cigar segments, where quality, pricing power, and brand loyalty continue to shape the competitive landscape.
As the industry looks ahead to 2025, the import picture is leaner, more intentional, and clearly oriented toward long-term value. Volume may have softened, but value, strategy, and premium presence are holding the line.
The Cigar Association of America (CAA) has released its detailed December 2024 Year-to-Date Import Report, available exclusively to members as part of our membership benefits program. This blog provides a high-level overview of the key insights from that full report.
