Economic and Business in cuban Review 2006 - TAXATION and reporting requirements

Cuba cigars continue to maintain their premiumbrand status
TOBACCO was first cultivated in Pinar del Río in1723. Today, it is grown in all 14 provinces throughout Cuba. The conditions of the country are very well suited to the growth of premium tobacco.
The industry, which employs around 200,000 people, including many private farmers, exports over 100 million hand-rolled cigars annually. Habanos S.A. holds the exclusive worldwide distribution and sales rights for Cuban hand-rolled cigars including Cohíba, Montecristo and Partagás. In 2000, a French-Spanish company, Altadis, purchased 50% of Habanos S.A. Since then the focus has been on maintaining and enhancing the luxury brand as opposed simply to drive up volumes. Total tobacco exports for 2005 were estimated as US$ 225 million (2004:US$ 217 million). The total number of cigars sold during 2005 was reported as 160 million. Officials have expressed optimism about this year's tobaccocrop.