Eastern Europe: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European unmanufactured tobacco market reduced to $X in 2022, dropping by -10.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption saw a noticeable reduction. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 22%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Poland (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of unmanufactured tobacco production, accounting for 57% of total volume. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco production in Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Bulgaria (X tons), fourfold. Hungary (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Poland totaled -5.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Bulgaria (-14.7% per year) and Hungary (-5.3% per year).

In 2022, the average unmanufactured tobacco yield in Eastern Europe shrank to X tons per ha, waning by -1.7% against the previous year. In general, the yield, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the yield increased by 35%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the unmanufactured tobacco yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of tobacco (unmanufactured) were harvested in Eastern Europe; approximately equating 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 4.9%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to unmanufactured tobacco production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas shipments of tobacco (unmanufactured) increased by 14% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 32%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Poland (X tons) and Bulgaria (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together achieving 78% of total exports. Russia (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 8.5% share, followed by Hungary (6.4%). Romania (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest unmanufactured tobacco supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Bulgaria ($X), Poland ($X) and Russia ($X), together comprising 91% of total exports.

Russia, with a CAGR of +8.0%, saw 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

In 2022, the export price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -13.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, 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 Bulgaria ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+7.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the amount of tobacco (unmanufactured) imported in Eastern Europe dropped to X tons, flattening at 2021 figures. Overall, imports showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports dropped to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a perceptible contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 14%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Russia (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the key importers of tobacco (unmanufactured) in 2022, finishing at near 34% and 33% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Romania (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Ukraine (X tons) and Belarus (X tons), together mixing up a 23% share of total imports. The Czech Republic (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Russia ($X) and Romania ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 77% of total imports.

Poland, with a CAGR of +3.5%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a mild reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 3.9%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while Belarus ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Russia (-0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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