Swedish Match second-quarter sales and operating profit rose 8 per cent as strong cigar sales offset a downturn in the US moist-snuff market, the company’s earnings statement shows.

Snus sales in Scandinavia rose 5 per cent on as shipping volume gained 1 per cent to 63 billion cans. However market share in Sweden fell 2.3 percentage points to 65.6 per cent, and by 2.1 percentage points in Norway. US moist-snuff volume dropped 8 per cent to 31.3 million cans. Swedish Match said its moist-snuff market share fell to 8.1 per cent from 9.3 per cent in the first quarter.
The company has filed a petition with the Norwegian government requesting a waiver for its snus products from recently introduced plain packaging. “We believe these regulations are not justifiable, as they ignore the demonstrably lower risk profile for snus,” said Chief Executive Officer Lars Dahlgren. The company also said it was boosting US production of Zyn nicotine pouches.
Sales of other tobacco products, which include cigars, were up 21 per cent at SEK 1.25 billion (EUR 130 million). Combined sales rose to SEK 4.2 billion and operating profit to SEK 1.1 billion.