The Dominican Republic’s tobacco industry!
Santo Domingo, Aug 5 (EFE).-
The Dominican Republic’s tobacco industry experiencing its best moment in history, with record export figures and rising international recognition that solidify the country’s status as a global powerhouse in premium cigar production.
Declared a national cultural heritage in 2022, tobacco has become not only a symbol of tradition and pride but also a key economic engine, representing 10% of the country’s total exports and supporting more than 122,000 direct jobs.
“The Dominican tobacco sector is at its peak,” Iván Hernández, director of the National Tobacco Institute (Intabaco), told EFE in an interview.
The institution oversees public policies to promote and support the industry.
In 2022, the government officially declared Dominican tobacco and cigars as cultural heritage to protect and promote their historical, cultural, and economic significance.
“The Dominican cigar is one of the few products made entirely with local elements, our soil, sun, and rain, and it reaches the hands of kings, presidents, or anyone who wants to enjoy a fine cigar,” said Hernández Guzmán.
Craftsmanship, heritage, and culture
Cigar making in the Dominican Republic is deeply rooted in tradition.
From the sun-drenched tobacco fields to artisanal factories, generations of workers carry on this legacy with pride.
At Quesada Cigars, a historic factory located in Santiago province, EFE observed dozens of artisans skilfully hand-rolling cigars to the rhythm of merengue music.
The scent of dried tobacco leaves fills the air as workers carefully sort, stretch, and label each leaf before packaging.
Sisters Raquel Quesada and Patricia Quesada, fifth-generation cigar makers, manage the factory.
Raquel told EFE that the global success of Dominican cigars stems from a combination of factors: “The exceptional quality of our soil, generational knowledge, and strategic branding have all contributed to our positioning.”
She added that the commitment to artisanal excellence, the professionalization of the industry, and support for internationalization “have allowed Dominican cigars not only to maintain their prestige but also expand into demanding, sophisticated markets.”
“For us, strengthening our brand as a country is not only an economic strategy but a cultural preservation act,” Raquel said.
Artisans behind every leaf
Today, 29 tobacco-growing zones are spread across 15 of the country’s 32 provinces, according to Intabaco.
The cigar-making process involves more than 300 hands from seed to final product.
“From planting and harvesting to drying, selecting, and rolling, each step reflects a deep knowledge and dedication passed down through generations,” said Hernández Guzmán.
“We produce around 182 million handmade premium cigars per year. I like to think of them as 182 million ambassadors for the Dominican Republic around the world,” he concluded. EFE ob/seo/mcd
