The Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers (PROCIGAR) has been honored with the Charity & Community Award at the Cigar Trophy Awards 2026, presented by Cigar Journal during Intertabac 2026 in Dortmund, Germany.
The award recognizes PROCIGAR’s longstanding social commitment and the collective efforts of its member companies in supporting education, healthcare, and community development initiatives throughout the Dominican Republic.
The award was accepted on behalf of the Association by Ciro Cascella, President of PROCIGAR, and Agustín Fernández, Executive Director. During the ceremony, Cascella invited all attending PROCIGAR members to join him on stage, emphasizing the collective nature of the achievement.
The Human Core of the Dominican Cigar Industry
In his acceptance remarks, Cascella highlighted the people and communities that form the backbone of the Dominican cigar sector:
“In the Dominican Republic, tobacco is much more than our finest craftsmanship and agricultural pride; it is culture, tradition, and above all, community. Behind every great cigar are the dedicated hands, dreams, and families of the men and women who cultivate our fertile land and craft our tradition. This award belongs to them: to every field worker, every artisan, and every child and family supported through the educational, healthcare, and social initiatives of our members’ foundations and the charitable auctions of the Procigar Festival.”
This international acknowledgment mirrors the shared commitment of PROCIGAR’s member factories: La Aurora, La Flor Dominicana, Tabacalera de García, General Cigar Dominicana, Tabacalera Palma, Quesada Cigars, Casa Carrillo, Tabacalera Fuente, De Los Reyes Cigars, PDR Cigars, and Arnold André. Through their independent foundations, corporate social programs, and the proceeds generated during the annual Procigar Festival auctions, the association continues to invest directly in the communities that constitute the essence of the Dominican Republic’s cigar heritage.
