The world of Cuban cigars has always balanced supply, demand, and the artistry of handcrafting. But over the past few years, a perfect storm of challenges has left tobacconists’ shelves bare. Strong demand brought on by the “lockdown effect”, coupled with under-production in Cuba and Covid-related logistics issues, has led to an unprecedented global shortage. Even Habanos S.A., Cuba’s state-run cigar company, is calling for patience.
Early Warnings
The first alarms came from 5th Avenue Trading, the exclusive importer for Germany, Austria, and Poland. In early 2020 they warned that while limited editions and Cohibas had been scarce for years, shortages were spreading across the standard ranges too. By 2021, that warning had become reality across much of Europe.
- In Paris, a leading tobacconist reported: “90% of the Cuban catalogue is out of stock. Deliveries are mostly of small formats smaller than robustos. Anything larger is virtually unavailable.”
- In Benelux, Cubacigar noted stockouts of even everyday vitolas like the Partagás Serie D No.4, P2, and even José L. Piedra and Quintero.
- Italy’s Diadema confirmed similar issues, especially with larger formats.
While Spanish importer Tabacalera downplayed the term “shortage,” they admitted supply interruptions were becoming unavoidable.
Why Cuban Cigars Are Scarce
Several overlapping factors explain the crisis:
1. Agricultural & Wrapper Shortages
Even before Covid, Cuban producers struggled to source enough large, high-quality wrappers for double coronas, Churchills, and salomones. This has been a bottleneck for years.
2. Covid & Logistics
The pandemic disrupted global freight. Air traffic is still at around 50% of pre-Covid capacity, with cargo prioritised for essential goods. Cigars, unfortunately, are not considered a priority.
3. Factory Closures & Reduced Output
Factories like La Corona and El Laguito (home of Cohiba) have faced closures or reduced staffing. Social distancing rules mean only half the workstations are in use. Positive Covid cases send entire teams of rollers home for isolation, further disrupting output.
In 2020, Tabacuba met only 70–80% of production targets. By 2021, rolling capacity was at 50% or less. The knock-on effect hits every stage — rolling, banding, boxing, and packaging.
4. Labour & Social Pressures
With Cuban schools closed, many workers stay home to care for children. Even with Saturday shifts and rotating teams, the loss of skilled hands has slowed production dramatically.
Rising Demand
While supply collapsed, demand spiked. Lockdowns gave cigar lovers more time to smoke, and sales surged across Europe.
- In Germany, Austria, and Poland, sales rose 27% in 2020.
- In the UK, Hunters & Frankau’s long-standing policy of maintaining a year’s stock has cushioned the blow, but shortages are still being felt.
- Across France, Benelux, Switzerland, and Spain, empty shelves and stockpiling by consumers have accelerated the crisis.
Rumours & Market Shifts
Shortages inevitably spark rumours. Some blame Chinese demand, especially after a Hong Kong consortium became a shareholder in Habanos S.A. While China’s cigar sales have grown, the figures are too small to explain the global squeeze.
The real cause remains simple: demand up, supply down.
In the meantime, some tobacconists and consumers are turning to New World alternatives from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. Sales of brands like Davidoff, Arturo Fuente, Plasencia, and La Flor Dominicanaare rising in step with Cuban shortages.
Outlook: When Will It Improve?
Habanos S.A. has been clear: quality will never be sacrificed to increase output. Production is artisanal, and scaling up is slow by design.
“When our aficionados smoke a habano, they expect a unique, high-quality experience. That will always be our priority,” a spokesperson explained.
Importers believe shortages will continue into the near future. Some worry that humidor space once dedicated to Cubans may permanently shift toward New World cigars. Others remain optimistic that production will stabilise as global logistics recover.
Final Puff
The Cuban cigar shortage is the result of rarely aligned pressures: agricultural limits, Covid-19 disruptions, and surging global demand. For now, patience is required.
Cuban cigars have always been luxury items — handcrafted, finite, and deeply tied to tradition. Today’s shortages remind us of that truth. While New World cigars are stepping in to fill the gap, for many aficionados, nothing will ever replace the magic of a true habano.
Browse our selection of Cuban and New World cigars and discover what’s still available to enjoy today.