As of midyear 2025, U.S. cigar imports show a market in transition. Total large cigar imports fell to an estimated 3.56 billion units, an 11.2% decline from the same period in 2024, reflecting softness in the mass-market and mid-tier price categories. The value segment (under $0.15) remains dominant but declined by 14%, while the midrange tier ($0.15–$0.23) dropped 12%. In contrast, higher-value imports strengthened—cigars priced $0.23–$0.76 rose 39%, and those above $0.76 increased 3%, signaling continued consumer movement toward premium products and higher-quality experiences.
Within the premium category, imports reached 200 million units, up 4.6% year over year and now comprising just over 5% of total large cigar volume, an all-time high share for the segment. Nicaragua continues to lead the category with 123.5 million units (+2.8%), followed by the Dominican Republic at 41.1 million (+4%) and Honduras at 34.1 million (+12.1%). Although early 2025 started sluggishly, import activity strengthened through the spring, with a 29% spike in March and a 4% increase in June, suggesting the premium segment remains resilient despite broader market declines.
Meanwhile, little cigar imports jumped 43% to 119.6 million units, driven primarily by machine-made shipments from the Dominican Republic. Cigar leaf tobacco imports also rose modestly, up 5.2% to 9.25 million kilograms. Overall, the midyear data point to a diverging market—mass-market cigars continue to weaken, but premium and little cigar categories are expanding, highlighting the industry’s gradual shift toward premiumization amid reduced total volumes.