Asia: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Asia

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was decline in the Asian tobacco market, when its value decreased by -2.2% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Tobacco Production in Asia

In value terms, tobacco production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in Asia

In 2021, overseas shipments of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) decreased by -1.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after eight years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 19% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -9.5% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Turkey (X tons), India (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons), together recording 52% of total export. Malaysia (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 6.9% share, followed by China (6.3%), the Philippines (6.1%), Indonesia (6.1%), South Korea (5.1%) and Pakistan (4.8%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +49.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($X), Turkey ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 50% share of total exports. Indonesia, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Pakistan, with a CAGR of +47.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.8%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) were imported in Asia; with an increase of 2.8% compared with 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 20%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, tobacco imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a prominent expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 76%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the five major importers of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), namely Japan, Iran, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, represented more than third of total import. Indonesia (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Palestine (X tons), China (X tons), Kazakhstan (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons), the Philippines (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +31.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in Asia, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Iran ($X), with a 3.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 3.3% share.

In Japan, tobacco imports expanded at an average annual rate of +64.4% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (+7.9% per year) and Turkey (+3.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 9.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 70% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Palestine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+40.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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