Tokyo, July 30, 2009 -- Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) today announced its international tobacco business results for the six-month period from January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009.
In the first half that ended June 30, 2009, the sales volume of Japan Tobacco International (JTI), JT’s international tobacco business operations, decreased by 0.9 percent to 216.1 billion cigarettes1 compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, Global Flagship Brands (GFB2) continued to act as the key contributor to JTI’s performance.
GFB sales volume increased 1.8 percent to 121.3 billion cigarettes in relation to the same period last year.
Total sales volume for Winston went down slightly by 0.5 percent, with growth in Turkey, Italy and France, which was offset by declines in the Philippines due to a planned change in business model, substantial rises in excise tax in Ukraine which triggered price increases, and an unstable business environment in the Near East.
Mild Seven’s sales volume went up 3.2 percent with growth mainly in Korea. Camel sales volume decreased by 2.0 percent with a good performance in Italy being offset by decreases in Latin America and the Philippines. Total sales volume for LD grew by 22.1 percent, reflecting the state of the current economy, mainly due to solid performances in Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Turkey.