GCC: Cigarettes Containing Tobacco Market 2025

Cigarettes Containing Tobacco Market Size in GCC

The GCC cigarettes containing tobacco market expanded slightly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 7.7% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cigarettes Containing Tobacco Production in GCC

In value terms, cigarettes containing tobacco production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 494% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Cigarettes Containing Tobacco Exports

Exports in GCC

In 2022, approx. X tons of cigarettes containing tobacco were exported in GCC; shrinking by -25.6% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 131%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cigarettes containing tobacco exports contracted significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 601% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United Arab Emirates represented the major exporter of cigarettes containing tobacco in GCC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 77% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Oman (X tons), comprising a 22% share of total exports.

The United Arab Emirates was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cigarettes containing tobacco exports, with a CAGR of +6.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Oman (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. The United Arab Emirates (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cigarettes containing tobacco supplying countries in GCC were the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X).

In terms of the main exporting countries, Oman, with a CAGR of +11.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in GCC stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 3.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the export price increased by 224%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 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 Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+5.1%).

Cigarettes Containing Tobacco Imports

Imports in GCC

In 2022, overseas purchases of cigarettes containing tobacco were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2014, thus ending a seven-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 22%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cigarettes containing tobacco imports fell to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 16% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together making up 77% of total imports. Oman (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Bahrain (X tons) and Kuwait (X tons). All these countries together held near 20% share of total imports. Qatar (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Bahrain (with a CAGR of -1.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline in the imports figures.

In value terms, Saudi Arabia ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Oman ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 85% share of total imports.

Oman, with a CAGR of +1.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of 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 GCC amounted to $X per ton, falling by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the import price increased by 10%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Oman ($X per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Oman (+5.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform