Swedish Match regional snus shipments in the third quarter were unchanged at 58.5 million cans, however US moist-snuff shipments increased 4 per cent to 35.6 million cans, the company said.

Higher sales boosted operating profit from all product areas 5 per cent to SEK 874 million (EUR 95 million) and by 7 per cent to SEK 989 million including earnings from cigar maker Scandinavian Tobacco Group, in which Swedish Match holds a 49 per cent stake. Operating profit for snus and moist snuff rose 2 per cent to SEK 562 million.
Snus market share in the Swedish home market at 69.8 per cent was down 2.2 percentage points from July-September, 2013, as the company lost ground in the premium sector that it dominates but posted a 1.2 percentage point increase to 38.4 per cent of the value sector. Market share in Norway declined nearly four percentage points to 59.2 per cent.
Sweden next year may raise tax on snus by 12 per cent as opposed to 6 per cent for cigarettes, which could impact the market, Swedish Match said. A 2 per cent duty increase for snus and cigarettes is planned in Norway, the company said.
After applying for US recognition of snus as a less harmful tobacco product this past summer, Swedish Match said its company vision has been changed to – A world without cigarettes.
“Swedish Match is distinctly positioned to compete in and further develop the growing snus category while contributing significantly to improved public health. To further emphasise the company strategy and prospects we have during the quarter reformulated our vision “, said Chief Executive Officer Lars Dahlgren.