Should we worry?

[Ryan]

Very interesting stuff Andy. How solid is the discussion about the price increase, sounds very risky in a single step. One would imagine that sort of jump will significantly impact sales?

It does sound like a big increase, risky I don't know, but not confirmed yet. I started hearing this a couple of weeks ago from some Canadian travellers. It came up in conversation again last week with an editor from the Cigar Journal and he had heard the same, from different sources.
I have emailed a friend in Havana but not heard back yet, access to email being what it is in Cuba.
Friends are going to the Partagas festival next month, I'll certainly know then.
I don't think it's going to affect sales too much, Cuba will still be the cheapest in the world and it's not like they were ever intended for the domestic market anyway. At least not since the revolution.
It'll affect me, I buy probably 50% of my cigars in Cuba, though few enough of those from Habanos I suppose.

[monkey66]

Ahhh, is this just a price increase in Cuba, not export?

[Ryan]

Yes, what I've been hearing regards Cuba. Just got a mail from a friend in Havana, he hasn't heard anything yet but he'll find out.
Hunters already put prices up there this year didn't they? It's not as noticeable here as cigars come in here from Hunters without UK duty paid on them.