Cuba and America

[Mike72]

So, America seems to be warming up to Cuba.

If America scraps the trade restrictions, then there will likely be a supply and demand issue?

Price increases on the way? Time to start stocking up?

[ValeTudoGuy]

Nah, the NC industry has the consumers there by the balls..... They will just play the patriot card.... Because MURRICA!

[tippexx]

There will be a demand issue. But ending the Embargo won't happen overnight, there will be a run up period. Cuba has the tobacco growing capacity to cope and with suitable for-warning should be able to gear up to the additional demand, although in fairness to them, for the first year or so they can only guess at what it might be. There will be problems .... but not quite as dire as the NC industry would have us believe and nothing like 1999-2002, Cuba's been there, done that and will have learned her lesson.

[PeeJay]

The cigar smoking Americans I'm aware of seem to have no difficulty getting Cubans at all. Apart from the novelty surge I suspect most of the 'ordinary' cigar smokers will stick with their cheap NCs.

[tippexx]

The Forum using ones we're aware of PeeJay are just the tip of the tip of the iceberg. There are millions of them and a fair lot of them smoke better quality NC. As you say, the cheaper end NC smokers probably wont bother with Cubans, but the top end smokers will, if only out of curiosity and for the initial kudos. Then all those that are happy with Cubans will switch or share their allegiance.

[Niela]

The Forum using ones we're aware of PeeJay are just the tip of the tip of the iceberg. There are millions of them and a fair lot of them smoke better quality NC. As you say, the cheaper end NC smokers probably wont bother with Cubans, but the top end smokers will, if only out of curiosity and for the initial kudos. Then all those that are happy with Cubans will switch or share their allegiance.

+1
I would assume that the US market will go the same way as the rest of the world. Maybe with a slightly higher number of NC as many got used to their favorite brand over the years. But in the end, why should Americans smoke different cigars than us? I would wish Cuba a nice windfall of fresh cash with a massively expanding market.