The tobacco industry of China sees cigarette structure upward in first four months of 2008, with the increment of sales outdoing the increment of production, and with reasonable stock level.
In April alone, the tobacco industry registered less sales and production year-on-year.
DATA AND ANALYSIS
CIGARETTE PRODUCTION
In April, the tobacco industry of China produced 180.22 billion cigarettes (3.6 million cases) for domestic sales, an decrease of 201.64 billion cigarettes (4.03 million cases), or 10.6 percent, compared to the same period of 2007.
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During January to April, the tobacco industry produced 791.7 billion cigarettes (15.83 million cases) for domestic sales, an increase of 17.2 billion cigarettes (0.344 million cases), or 2.2 percent, compared to the same period of 2007.
CIGARETTE SALES
In April, the tobacco industry sold 176.15 billion cigarettes (3.523 million cases), an decrease of 4.25 billion cigarettes (85000 cases), or 2.4 percent, over year-on-year.
In January to April, the tobacco industry sold 784.2 billion cigarettes (15.68 million cases), an increase of 30 billion cigarettes (0.6 million cases), or 4 percent, over year-on-year.
CIGARETTE INVENTORIES
At the end of April, the cigarette inventories reached 133.05 billion cigarettes (2.661 million cases), down 7.15 billion cigarettes (0.14 million cases), or 5.1 percent from the level of 140.2 billion cigarettes (2.804 million cases) at the same time of 2007.
Also at the end of April, the ratio of inventories to sales of Grade One cigarettes on the part of the commercial sector was 0.68, down from the level of 0.7 at the same time of 2007; Grade Two cigarettes 0.54, down from 0.61; Grade Three cigarettes 0.50, down from 0.60; Grade Four cigarettes 0.58, up over 0.56; and Grade Five cigarettes 0.63, down from 0.66.
TAXES AND PROFITS
In April, the tobacco industry generated 35.19 billion yuan in manufacturing and commercial taxes and profits, an increase of 4.2 percent over 2007, with the amount of manufacturing taxes and profits going up 1.4 percent year-on-year, and with the amount of commercial taxes and profits going up10.8 percent year-on-year.
In April, the tobacco industry earned over 14.93 billion yuan in manufacturing and commercial profits, an increase of 5.7 percent over the same period of 2007, with the amount of manufacturing profits going up 0.3 percent year-on-year, and with the amount of commercial profits reaching 8.89 billion yuan, up 9.7 percent year-on-year.
During January to April, the tobacco industry generated 173.43 billion yuan in manufacturing and commercial taxes and profits, an increase of 17.2 percent year-on-year, with the amount of manufacturing taxes and profits going up 16.8 percent year-on-year, and with the amount of commercial taxes and profits going up 18 percent year-on-year.
During January to April, the tobacco industry earned over 76.18 billion yuan in manufacturing and commercial profits, an increase of 19.7 percent over the same period of 2007, with the amount of manufacturing profits going up 22 percent year-on-year, and with the amount of commercial profits reaching 45.65 billion yuan, up 17.8 percent year-on-year. Enditem
