Key points:
- Dominican Republic’s cigar exports exceeded $1.34 billion in 2024, reaching 148 countries.
- The United States remains the primary market, accounting for over 74% of exports.
- The tobacco sector supports over 110,000 jobs, highlighting its economic significance.
The Dominican Republic announced annual cigar exports surpassed $1.34 billion in 2024, according to Iván Hernández Guzmán, director of the Tobacco Institute (Intabaco). The exports reached 148 countries, underscoring the nation’s expansive international footprint in premium cigar production.
The United States continues to be the dominant market, accounting for over 74% of the Dominican Republic’s cigar exports and generating nearly $1 billion in revenue. Other significant destinations include China, Germany, and Belgium, reflecting the global demand for Dominican cigars.
Hernández Guzmán emphasized the industry’s commitment to quality, noting that both handmade and machine-made premium cigars adhere to stringent standards for logistics, humidity, and temperature control. He also highlighted the diversification of markets, with emerging demand from countries such as South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland.
Beyond exports, the tobacco sector is a vital component of the Dominican economy, supporting more than 40,000 direct jobs and over 110,000 total jobs within free trade zones. Hernández Guzmán lauded Dominican tobacco as a “true national brand,” citing ongoing efforts by the government and private sector to promote sustainable production, attract foreign investment, and enhance international promotion through partnerships and trade agreements like DR-CAFTA.
The Dominican Republic is the largest supplier of cigars and cigarillos to the United States, holding an 82% share of total imports in 2024.
