The Dominican Republic Exported 196 Million Premium Cigars Last Year

The area of land used for tobacco cultivation in the country has increased by 50% over the past six years.

The Dominican cigar industry produced more than 196 million hand-rolled cigars last year, most of which are exported to 148 countries, with the United States being the main trading partner, Iván Hernández Guzmán, director of the Dominican Tobacco Institute (INTABACO), recently explained.

The nation on the island of Hispaniola thus ranks second in the sector behind Nicaragua, he added in comments reported by the Dominican press. According to our estimates, Nicaragua exports between 280 and 310 million hand-rolled cigars each year

The tobacco sector generates approximately 40,000 direct jobs in the Dominican Republic, 62% of which are held by women. It accounts for about 10% of the country’s total exports, with revenues exceeding $1.385 billion when including tobacco and tobacco products.

The area under cultivation for tobacco used in hand-rolled cigars has increased from 6,300 hectares in 2019 to 9,400 hectares in 2025.

According to Iván Hernández Guzmán, this increase is due to the recognition of tobacco as an element of the Dominican national identity. In 2022, the government enacted Law 341, which declares tobacco and cigars an integral part of the national cultural heritage.

Photo: General Cigar (STG) factory in 2025. ©Manuel Feliz