Core net sales excluding tax increased by 4.4% primarily driven by pricing and volume increases.
At constant rates of exchange, core net sales excluding tax grew by 6.5%. Core net sales excluding tax per thousand cigarettes increased by 6.0% to US$26.7 at constant rates of exchange.
GFB and total shipment volume increased by 2.1% and 0.5% respectively. GFB growth was driven by Russia, Turkey, Taiwan and Korea.
Year-on-year market share continued to grow in most key markets including Turkey, Taiwan, Italy, France and Russia.
South and West Europe: Both total and GFB shipment volume decreased by 9.7% and 9.1% respectively compared to the same period of the prior year. The volume decrease was a result of significant industry contraction in Spain and in Greece, which was slightly off-set by a volume increase in Italy. Market share increased in the key markets of Italy and France.
North and Central Europe: Total shipment volume increased by 1.1%, driven by a volume increase ahead of a tax hike in March in the UK. GFB shipments increased by 4.1%. Market share grew in Sweden and Poland.
CIS+: GFB shipment volume grew by 7.3% and total shipment volume increased by 0.7%. The volume increase was due to solid growth in Russia where GFB shipment volume grew by 9.2% compared to the previous year, strengthening our No.1 position. This improved performance was off-set by continued industry contraction in Ukraine, resulting from numerous tax hikes. Market share increased in Russia.
Rest-of-the-World: Total shipment volume increased by 5.3% driven by growth in the Middle East, Taiwan, Korea and Turkey. GFB volume increased by 3.9%. Market share increased in Turkey, Taiwan, Korea and Malaysia.