Cuban cigar sales increase but face challenges in 2020

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban cigar sales topped $531 million last year, state monopoly Habanos S.A. announced on Monday as the country's annual cigar festival opened, most likely the last with partner Imperial Brands Plc .Spain, China, Germany and France were the strongest markets as sales increased 2% over 2018, the company said.This was good news for the Communist-run Caribbean island which is short of cash and under new U.S. sanctions aimed at further reducing its coffers.Cuba was Habanos fifth..