Which Country Exports the Most Unmanufactured Tobacco in the World?

Tobacco Products February 01, 2018

Blog Blog / Tobacco / Tobacco Products

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, approx. 10M tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco were exported worldwide; increasing by 354% against the previous year level. In general, unmanufactured tobacco exports continue to indicate a remarkable expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016, when exports increased by 354% y-o-y. In that year, global unmanufactured tobacco exports attained its maximum volume, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports stood at $11B in 2016. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2007 to 2016; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. Global unmanufactured tobacco export peaked of $13B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Unmanufactured Tobacco Exporting Countries in the World

1. Brazil (2,054.1 million USD)

2. Zimbabwe (887.0 million USD)

3. Belgium (861.9 million USD)

4. India (671.1 million USD)

5. China (573.3 million USD)

6. Mozambique (233.6 million USD)

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports By Country

Mozambique (8.3M tonnes) dominates in unmanufactured tobacco exports structure, recording 8.3M tonnes, which was near 80% of total exports in 2016. It was distantly followed by Brazil (466K tonnes), making up 5% share of total unmanufactured tobacco exports. The following exporters - India (218K tonnes), China (173K tonnes), Belgium (162K tonnes), and Zimbabwe (155K tonnes) took approx. 7% of total exports, each.

Mozambique was also the fastest growing in terms of the unmanufactured tobacco exports, with a CAGR of +100.4% from 2007 to 2016. At the same time, Belgium (+14.7%), Zimbabwe (+9.7%), and India (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Brazil (-4.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2016, the share of Brazil increased by 2% percentage points, while Mozambique (-80.2%) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($2.1B) remains the largest unmanufactured tobacco supplier in the world, making up 19% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Zimbabwe ($887M), with the share of 8% of global exports. It was followed by Belgium, with the share of 8%.

In Brazil, unmanufactured tobacco exports plunged by an average annual rate of -0.7% over the period from 2007-2016. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zimbabwe (+17.3% per year) and Belgium (+18.0% per year).

Unmanufactured Tobacco Export Prices By Country

In 2016, the average export price for unmanufactured tobacco amounted to $1,026 per tonne, lowering by -78.8% against the previous year. Overall, unmanufactured tobacco export price continues to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009, when export price increased by 13% y-o-y. Global unmanufactured tobacco export peaked of $4,893 per tonne in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

Export prices varied noticeably by country of destination. the country with the highest export prices was Zimbabwe ($5,716 per tonne), while Mozambique ($28 per tonne) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of unmanufactured tobacco export prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+6.9% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

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