Eastern Asia: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian tobacco market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tobacco Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, tobacco production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 35%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) were exported in Eastern Asia; falling by -4.9% on the previous year's figure. Overall, exports saw a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 41% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco exports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a perceptible curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) dominates exports structure, together mixing up 92% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Japan (X tons), committing a 7% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Japan (with a CAGR of +79.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, China ($X), South Korea ($X) and Japan ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 97% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Japan, with a CAGR of +93.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 19% against the previous year. Export price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, tobacco export price increased by +28.2% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the export price increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while China ($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 (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2021, overseas purchases of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Total imports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -17.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 35% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 183%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Japan was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which accounted for 56% of total imports. South Korea (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by China (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons). All these countries together took near 37% share of total imports. The following importers - Hong Kong SAR (X tons) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (X tons) - together made up 7% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to tobacco imports into Japan stood at +16.7%. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+22.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +22.0% from 2012-2021. China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Korea (-1.1%), Hong Kong SAR (-4.4%) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (-16.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Japan and Taiwan (Chinese) increased by +35 and +7.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Japan ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in Eastern Asia, comprising 92% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 3.1% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Japan totaled +64.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+38.7% per year) and South Korea (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Eastern Asia amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a significant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 117% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

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