Latin America and the Caribbean: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American tobacco market contracted slightly to $X in 2021, waning by -5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a pronounced decrease. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Tobacco Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, tobacco production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a perceptible setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), when their volume decreased by -2% to X tons. Total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +31.4% against 2013 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, tobacco exports shrank to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Brazil (X tons) was the largest exporter of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), committing 68% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mexico (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons), together creating a 23% share of total exports. The following exporters - Paraguay (X tons) and Nicaragua (X tons) - each resulted at a 4.3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to tobacco exports from Brazil stood at +7.8%. At the same time, Paraguay (+15.0%), Mexico (+14.0%) and the Dominican Republic (+11.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Paraguay emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +15.0% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Nicaragua (-8.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+11 p.p.), Mexico (+6.6 p.p.) and the Dominican Republic (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Nicaragua saw its share reduced by -5.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X), the Dominican Republic ($X) and Mexico ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 91% of total exports. Paraguay and Nicaragua lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 2.8%.

Among the main exporting countries, Paraguay, with a CAGR of +12.8%, saw 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 Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -5.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

Tobacco imports was estimated at X tons in 2021, remaining constant against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco imports declined slightly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Argentina (X tons) represented the main importer of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff), making up 39% of total imports. The Dominican Republic (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Honduras (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Mexico (X tons). All these countries together took near 46% share of total imports. The following importers - Aruba (X tons) and Paraguay (X tons) - each reached a 6.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Honduras (with a CAGR of +36.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X), Argentina ($X) and Mexico ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 70% of total imports. Brazil, Honduras, Paraguay and Aruba lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Honduras, with a CAGR of +43.6%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while Aruba ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+13.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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