Eastern Europe: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European tobacco market expanded markedly to $X in 2021, increasing by 8.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Tobacco Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, tobacco production shrank rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), when their volume decreased by -3.1% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, tobacco exports stood at $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Poland (X tons) and Russia (X tons) were the key exporters of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in 2021, resulting at approx. 36% and 31% of total exports, respectively. Romania (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Ukraine (X tons). All these countries together held near 24% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Czech Republic (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) - each resulted at an 8.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +32.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tobacco supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Romania ($X), Poland ($X) and Russia ($X), together comprising 86% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +66.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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 Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 27%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while Ukraine ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+25.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in overseas purchases of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), when their volume decreased by -4.7% to X tons. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +82.0% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, tobacco imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Poland (X tons) was the major importer of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), comprising 30% of total imports. Ukraine (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 14% share, followed by Russia (14%), Romania (13%), the Czech Republic (11%), Lithuania (6.4%) and Hungary (4.9%).

Poland was also the fastest-growing in terms of the tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) imports, with a CAGR of +11.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Russia (+9.0%), Romania (+6.7%), the Czech Republic (+6.4%), Ukraine (+4.6%), Hungary (+3.4%) and Lithuania (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Poland and Russia increased by +8.5 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest tobacco importing markets in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), the Czech Republic ($X) and Ukraine ($X), together comprising 58% of total imports. Hungary, Russia, Lithuania and Romania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +20.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price enjoyed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+16.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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