Nicaragua

General Data

Capital: Managua
Population: 7,0 M (2025)
Area: 130 370 km²
Currency: Córdoba (NIO)
Language: Spanish
Timezone: UTC−6
GDP: 22,2 Md$ (2025)
Independence: 1821

Production

253 M premium cigars to the United States (2024)

Annual Revenue

425 M$ (2023)

exports of cigars, cigarettes and similar products (HS 2402), according to UN Comtrade via TrendEconomy; the Central Bank of Nicaragua gives US$421.8 million for 2024 (La Prensa, June 2026) and the Chamber of Tabacaleros close to US$400 million; US imports from Nicaragua stand at US$371 million in 2023

Harvest

Dec – Feb

Climate

Volcanic tropical

Soil

Rich volcanic ash

Regions

Estelí
Jalapa
Condega
Ometepe

Varieties

Corojo 99
Criollo 98
Habano
Havana 92

Manufacturers

Plasencia
My Father
Drew Estate
Oliva

Sommelier Note

In 2024, nearly six in ten premium cigars imported into the United States come from Nicaragua (Cigar Association of America).

Production Zones

Condega — Rocky soil, thinner leaf
Estelí — Valley at 844 m, powerful tobacco
Jalapa — Mild, complex leaves
Ometepe — Volcanic island, rare tobacco

Local industry

LOCAL INDUSTRY

Nicaragua is the leading supplier of premium cigars to the United States: about 253 million units in 2024, or nearly 59% of the 430 million imported (Cigar Association of America). The industry is concentrated around Estelí, nicknamed the "cigar capital", where several houses have their factory.

Founded: Industrie développée 1960s–1990s
Ownership: Mainly independent family factories
Headquarters: Estelí, Nicaragua
Employees: 25 000+ (secteur tabac)
Festival & Events: Nicaragua Cigars Event — annual festival in Estelí

Manufactures

Padrón Cigars (Tabacalera Padrón)
Estelí · —
Padrón 1926 · Padrón 1964 · Family Reserve
My Father Cigars S.A.
Estelí · 2006
My Father · Le Bijou 1922 · Flor de Las Antillas
Plasencia Cigars S.A.
Estelí · 1970s
Plasencia Cosecha · Alma del Fuego · Reserva Original
Drew Estate S.A.
Estelí · 1999
Liga Privada No.9 · T52 · Acid · Herrera Estelí
Oliva Cigar Co.
Estelí · 1995
Serie V · Melanio · Serie G

Official brands

Padrón
My Father
Oliva
Drew Estate
Plasencia
Rocky Patel
Perdomo
Joya de Nicaragua
AJ Fernandez
Mombacho
La Flor de Selva

Certifications

Denominación de Origen "Jalapa"
Denominación de Origen "Estelí"
CAAN (Cámara Nicaragüense de Tabaco)

Distribution network

USA: Distribution directe (marchés spécialisés)
Europe: Altadis / Scandinavian Tobacco Group
Canada: Imperial Tobacco Canada

Iconic Brands 123

Cigar caves & lounges in Nicaragua 4

Drew Estate — Factory Lounge Estelí
Drew Estate's lounge at the factory. Liga Privada fresh from the factory. Booking required.
My Father Cigars — Showroom Estelí
My Father Cigars factory of the García family, in Estelí (Nicaragua), on the Pan-American Highway. The existence of a showroom open to the public has not been cross-checked.
Padrón Cigars — Boutique Estelí Estelí
Official boutique at the Padrón production site. Direct access to limited editions.
Padrón Cigars Factory — Sala VIP Estelí
Padrón factory (Tabacos Cubanica S.A.) in Estelí, in the city center. Visits known during press events; 'Sala VIP' lounge and 'Barrio Sandino' neighborhood not cross-checked.