According to a report by the Belarusskie Novosti news agency, Belarusian biggest cigarette maker Neman based in Grodno has ceased manufacturing of the brands Puscha, Filter, Stolichnye and Grodno Classic, due to declining demand.

The above brands belonging to the oriental-blend type comprised around 8 per cent of the company’s output. The revision of the plant’s portfolio is explained by a perceptible up-trading trend on the local market, with smokers increasingly going for quality products. By the end of the year, the company also plans to cut production of some of its filterless brands including the likes of Belomorcanal and Prima, the plant’s general director Yuri Chernyshov announced. At the same time, manufacturing of American-blend type cigarettes is increasing, a triple growth of output posted over the first half of the year, Chernyshov informed. (vt)