{"id":151233,"date":"2025-03-01T13:08:06","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T12:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=151233"},"modified":"2025-03-01T14:02:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T13:02:23","slug":"the-festival-del-habano-25th-edition-sets-records-draws-large-crowds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/the-festival-del-habano-25th-edition-sets-records-draws-large-crowds\/","title":{"rendered":"The Festival del Habano 25th edition sets records, draws large crowds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Havana, Feb 28 (EFE).- The 25th edition of the Festival del Habano<\/a><\/strong> concluded in Havana with record-breaking sales at the humidor auction<\/strong>, as the commemorative Behike Line humidor<\/strong> became the most expensive in history, selling for \u20ac4.6 million ($4.77 million)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Festival sees Record Sales at the Humidor Auction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The top Habanos humidors<\/strong> generated a total of \u20ac16.41 million ($17 million)<\/strong> from the seven auctioned<\/strong>, each representing one of the company\u2019s global brands<\/strong>, including Cohiba, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, Partag\u00e1s, Hoyo de Monterrey, and H. Upmann. At the festival\u2019s gala night<\/strong>, organized by Habanos S.A.<\/strong>, three additional special humidors<\/strong> were unveiled in honor of brands celebrating anniversaries in 2025<\/strong>: Punch, Juan L\u00f3pez, and La Gloria Cubana.<\/p>\n

More than 1,400 people<\/strong> attended the event, where the Habanos Awards 2024<\/strong> were presented to honor key industry figures. The gala concluded on Friday<\/strong> with a performance by Earth, Wind & Fire<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\"HAVANA
HAVANA (CUBA), 02\/26\/2025.- A man sorts tobacco leaves during the cigar rolling competition in Havana (Cuba). The traditional cigar rolling competition was held, featuring artisans who handcraft Cuba\u2019s most prized cigars using traditional techniques. EFE\/Ernesto Mastrascusa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Festival Highlights and New Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Festival del Habano<\/strong> began on February 24<\/strong> with a packed program that included visits to tobacco plantations<\/strong> in Cuba\u2019s Pinar del R\u00edo region<\/strong> and tours of cigar factories<\/strong> in Havana. This year\u2019s edition introduced two first-time events<\/strong>: the festival\u2019s Midweek Night<\/strong> was held at Havana\u2019s iconic Capitolio<\/strong>, and the first-ever cigar rolling competition<\/strong> took place, highlighting the skill of Cuban torcedores.<\/p>\n

\"HAVANA
HAVANA (CUBA), 02\/26\/2025.- A woman smokes a cigar during the cigar rolling competition in Havana (Cuba). The traditional cigar rolling competition was held, featuring artisans who handcraft Cuba\u2019s most prized cigars using traditional techniques. EFE\/Ernesto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Habanos\u2019 Global Growth and Market Expansion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With 27 brands<\/strong> and a presence in over 130 markets<\/strong>, Habanos S.A.<\/strong> continues to dominate the luxury cigar industry. “We have reached revenues of $827 million<\/strong>, a 16% increase<\/strong> compared to the previous year,” said Habanos co-president Luis S\u00e1nchez-Harguindey Pardo de Vera<\/strong> in an interview with EFE<\/strong>. He emphasized that the company\u2019s strategy is built on excellence, tradition, and innovation<\/strong>, with a strong focus on the protection of the Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.P.)<\/strong>, ensuring quality and authenticity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Habanos S.A. Vice President of Development Jos\u00e9 Mar\u00eda L\u00f3pez Inchaurbe<\/strong> analyzed the company\u2019s key markets<\/strong>, stating that China, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Germany<\/strong> showed the highest sales growth. Regionally, Europe<\/strong> remained Habanos\u2019 largest market<\/strong>, accounting for 54% of total sales value<\/strong>, followed by Asia-Pacific (24%), the Americas (12%), and Africa & the Middle East (10%)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"HAVANA
HAVANA (CUBA), 02\/24\/2025.- People attend the trade fair of the 25th Festival del Habano at the Havana Convention Center (Cuba). EFE\/Ernesto Mastrascusa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Celebrating Romeo y Julieta\u2019s 150th Anniversary & Cohiba Behike\u2019s 15th Anniversary<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This year\u2019s festival paid tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Romeo y Julieta brand<\/strong>, launching the Romeo y Julieta Amantes vitola<\/strong>, created exclusively for the occasion. Additionally, Cohiba Behike<\/strong>, the most exclusive line in Habanos S.A.’s portfolio<\/strong>, marked its 15th anniversary<\/strong> with the world premiere of the Cohiba Behike 58 vitola<\/strong> (58-ring gauge, 178 mm in length<\/strong>). EFE<\/p>\n