Iraq: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in Iraq

In 2022, after seven years of growth, there was decline in the Iraqi unmanufactured tobacco market, when its value decreased by -2.7% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in Iraq

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 30% against the previous year. Unmanufactured tobacco production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of tobacco (unmanufactured) in Iraq fell slightly to X kg per ha in 2022, approximately reflecting 2021. In general, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the yield increased by 0.8%. The unmanufactured tobacco yield peaked at X kg per ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The unmanufactured tobacco harvested area in Iraq was estimated at X ha in 2022, approximately equating 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 2.5%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to unmanufactured tobacco production reached the maximum at X ha in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports from Iraq

For the eighth consecutive year, Iraq recorded growth in overseas shipments of tobacco (unmanufactured), which increased by 0.2% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports showed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 277%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports dropped to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 228%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Azerbaijan (X tons) was the main destination for unmanufactured tobacco exports from Iraq, accounting for a 63% share of total exports. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco exports to Azerbaijan exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Poland (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Azerbaijan amounted to +9.7%.

In value terms, the largest markets for unmanufactured tobacco exported from Iraq were Azerbaijan ($X) and Poland ($X).

Among the main countries of destination, Azerbaijan, with a CAGR of +1.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average unmanufactured tobacco export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -9.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 88%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Azerbaijan amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Azerbaijan (-7.4%).

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports into Iraq

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of tobacco (unmanufactured), when their volume decreased by -17.5% to X tons. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 219%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports contracted notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 261% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank notably in the following year.

Imports by Country

The United Arab Emirates (X tons), Croatia (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main suppliers of unmanufactured tobacco imports to Iraq, together accounting for 94% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Croatia (with a CAGR of +233.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United Arab Emirates ($X), Croatia ($X) and Poland ($X) constituted the largest unmanufactured tobacco suppliers to Iraq, together accounting for 94% of total imports.

Croatia, with a CAGR of +203.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average unmanufactured tobacco import price amounted to $X per ton, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +8.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, unmanufactured tobacco import price decreased by -1.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 56%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Croatia ($X per ton), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+12.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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