China's Tobacco Industry Keeps Steady Development in Feb.

Source from:  China Tobacco magazine 04/13/2009

The tobacco industry of China sees cigarette production, sales and profits upward in Feb of 2009, and with reasonable stock level, and with the stable price. [b]DATA AND ANALYSIS[/b] [b]CIGARETTE PRODUCTION[/b] In Feb., the tobacco industry of China produced 133.65 billion cigarettes (2.6 million cases) for domestic sales, an increase of 6.55 billion cigarettes (0.131 million cases) from 127.1 billion cigarettes (2.542 million cases), or 5.2 percent, compared to the same period of 2007. During January to February, the tobacco industry produced 451.1 billion cigarettes (9.022 million cases) for domestic sales, an increase of 10.25 billion cigarettes (0.205 million cases) from 440.85 billion cigarettes, or 2.3 percent, compared to the same period of 2007. [b]CIGARETTE SALES[/b] In Feb., the tobacco industry sold 169.4 billion cigarettes (3.388 million cases), an increase of 20.35 billion cigarettes (0.407 million cases) from 149.05 billion cigarettes, or 13.7 percent, over year-on-year. In January to February, the tobacco industry sold 486.75 billion cigarettes (9.735 million cases), an increase of 51.15 billion cigarettes (1.023 million cases) from 435.6 billion cigarettes, or 11.7 percent, over year-on-year. [b]CIGARETTE INVENTORIES[/b] At the end of February, the cigarette inventories reached 117.55 billion cigarettes (2.351 million cases), down 11.1 billion cigarettes (0.222 million cases) from the level of 128.65 billion cigarettes (2.573 million cases) at the same time of 2008. Also at the end of Feb., the ratio of inventories to sales of Grade One cigarettes on the part of the commercial sector was 0.72, down from the level of 0.75 at the same time of 2008; Grade Two cigarettes 0.63, up from 0.59; Grade Three cigarettes 0.60, up from 0.56; Grade Four cigarettes 0.54, dowm from 0.62; and Grade Five cigarettes 0.53, down from 0.82. [b]TAXES AND PROFITS[/b] During January to February, the tobacco industry generated 123.9 billion yuan in manufacturing and commercial taxes and profits, an increase of 17.81 billion yuan, or 16.8 percent over year-on-year, with the amount of manufacturing taxes and profits going up 11.7 percent year-on-year, and with the amount of commercial taxes and profits going up 26.7 percent year-on-year. During January to Feb., the tobacco industry earned over 56.92 billion yuan in manufacturing and commercial profits, an increase of 22 percent over the same period of 2008, with the amount of manufacturing profits going up 11.6 percent year-on-year, and with the amount of commercial profits reaching 36.21 billion yuan, up 28.9 percent year-on-year. Enditem