Swedish Match snus shipments in Scandinavia rose an adjusted 2 per cent in the second quarter but US moist-snuff volume fell on less demand for traditional loose varieties, the company said.

Snus volume growth in Sweden at an estimated two per cent was less than the 5 per cent overall increase in a market where Swedish Match dominates the premium segment. However the company is not as well positioned in the value segment, 43 per cent of the market, where growth in lower priced products has been stronger than in the premium segment, Swedish Match said.
Adjusted for the timing of Easter holidays, snus shipments to the Norwegian and retail-travel segments also gained, Swedish Match said. US moist-snuff volume measured in can equivalents fell 7 per cent.
Snus and moist-snuff revenue rose 3 per cent to SEK 1.3 million (EUR 141,000), as snus strength offset a dip in moist-snuff sales. Revenue from other tobacco products (OTP) gained 2 per cent to SEK 699,000. Snus, moist-snuff and OTP accounted for about two thirds of gross sales at SEK 3.3 million. Operating profit fell 3 per cent to SEK 941,000 as Swedish Match realised less from its 49 per cent stake in Scandinavian Tobacco Group.
Volumes are expected to continue to grow for the remainder of 2014 in Scandinavia and the US. Growth in value products should outpace the premium segment in both markets, the company said.