The severe energy and fuel crisis plaguing Cuba is having a significant impact on one of the island's most iconic products and key exports: cigars. Global retailers are reporting what they describe as one of the most severe supply shortages in decades, according to a report in the New York Post.
Among those feeling the pinch is Manu Harit, a cigar expert based in London, whose business relies heavily on Cuban cigars. Harit states that he has been unable to meet customer demand for several months.
"I've been telling my clients, 'Listen, I haven't been able to get them for months,'" Harit confessed.
Severe Shortages and Soaring Prices
The numbers illustrate the extent of the shortage. Harit mentioned that earlier this year, he placed an order worth 45,000 pounds, approximately $60,000, yet only received goods valued at 5,000 pounds.
"In recent months, they've sent very little inventory," he lamented.
The scarcity is already evident in the international market. According to Harit, a cigar that cost around 20 pounds a decade ago can now sell for 160 pounds, an eightfold increase in price.
A Troubled Industry and State Control
Harit attributes much of the issue to the structure of Cuba's tobacco industry, which is entirely state-controlled. Habanos S.A., the company that monopolizes the global marketing of Cuban cigars, is 50% owned by the Cuban government. Well-known brands like Cohiba, Montecristo, Partagás, Romeo y Julieta, and Trinidad are part of this centralized system.
"There is no alternative... All the brands are nationalized," Harit explained.
Logistics Crisis: No Fuel, No Cigars
The logistical crisis has become a significant barrier to production. The tobacco farms in Pinar del Río, responsible for 70% to 80% of Cuban tobacco, rely on fuel supplies to transport workers, raw materials, and finished products.
"All the farms and plantations are a couple of hours from Havana, and you need fuel and trucks to get there," the merchant noted.
Harit recounted the story of a taxi driver who spent 14 hours waiting to buy gasoline, ultimately paying 350 pounds for just two and a half gallons, simply to transport several boxes of cigars from a factory.
In addition to land transportation challenges, air cargo transport has collapsed. Many shipments must now be made by sea, but numerous operators lack the necessary temperature and humidity conditions required for cigars, leading to a loss of inventory.
In June, one of the world's largest cigar distributors announced a 6.5% surcharge on all orders due to increased costs of getting cigars out of Cuba.
Global Impact on the Luxury Market
The consequences are now visible in various countries. The Habanos Festival, one of the industry's major international events, was permanently canceled on July 21, marking only the second interruption in its history after pandemic-related suspensions in 2020 and 2021.
Phoenicia T.A.A. Cyprus Ltd., a leading official distributor of cigars, began applying a 6.5% surcharge on all orders starting June 23 due to rising transportation costs.
In Canada, several specialty stores reported in March that they had not received new shipments from Cuba since December 2025.
The shortage has also fueled the black market. In July, the Spanish Civil Guard dismantled a clandestine workshop in Valencia producing counterfeit cigars, seizing 33,840 cigars and over 637,000 fake bands of brands like Cohiba and Punch.
Consumers Scramble to Find Cigars
Faced with uncertainty, many aficionados are stockpiling whenever they find available products.
"I've smoked Cohiba all my life and now I can't find it. There's nothing quite like it," an American consumer who usually buys his cigars in the UK told the New York Post.
In affluent markets like Dubai and Riyadh, some buyers are purchasing up to 12 boxes at once, equivalent to about 300 cigars, to ensure availability for months.
When asked by the newspaper when supply might recover, Harit admitted he had no answer.
Regarding the rise of imitations seeking to capitalize on the shortage, he was unequivocal: "They will never replace the original."
FAQs on the Cuban Cigar Shortage
What is causing the Cuban cigar shortage?
The shortage is mainly due to Cuba's severe energy and fuel crisis, affecting production and logistics.
How are prices being affected by the shortage?
Cigar prices have skyrocketed, with some increasing eightfold compared to a decade ago.
How is the state control of the tobacco industry contributing to the problem?
The Cuban tobacco industry is state-controlled, with Habanos S.A. and major brands operating under a centralized system, limiting alternatives.