Latin America and the Caribbean: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin American unmanufactured tobacco market dropped rapidly to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -19.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in Latin America and the Caribbean

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Brazil (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of unmanufactured tobacco production, comprising approx. 75% of total volume. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco production in Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Argentina (X tons), sevenfold. Guatemala (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.1% share.

In Brazil, unmanufactured tobacco production contracted by an average annual rate of -1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Argentina (-1.0% per year) and Guatemala (+1.6% per year).

The average unmanufactured tobacco yield contracted to X tons per ha in 2022, falling by -2.4% against 2021. In general, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the unmanufactured tobacco 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 totaled X ha in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, recorded a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 7.1%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to unmanufactured tobacco production reached the peak figure at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports in Latin America and the Caribbean

In 2022, overseas shipments of tobacco (unmanufactured) were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil was the key exporting country with an export of around X tons, which finished at 82% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Argentina (X tons), making up an 11% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Dominican Republic (X tons) and Guatemala (X tons) - each accounted for a 3.7% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to unmanufactured tobacco exports from Brazil stood at -1.3%. At the same time, the Dominican Republic (+4.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Dominican Republic emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +4.1% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Guatemala (-2.0%) and Argentina (-2.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Brazil (+2.1 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, Brazil ($X) remains the largest unmanufactured tobacco supplier in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Argentina ($X), with a 9% share of total exports. It was followed by the Dominican Republic, with a 6.3% share.

In Brazil, unmanufactured tobacco exports declined by an average annual rate of -3.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Argentina (-3.2% per year) and the Dominican Republic (+9.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Latin America and the Caribbean stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 20% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild curtailment. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Dominican Republic ($X per ton), while Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Dominican Republic (+4.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports in Latin America and the Caribbean

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of tobacco (unmanufactured) increased by 24% to X tons in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight reduction. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports soared to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The Dominican Republic represented the key importer of tobacco (unmanufactured) in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 45% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Paraguay (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons), together achieving a 32% share of total imports. Mexico (X tons), Chile (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons), Uruguay (X tons) and Cuba (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the Dominican Republic increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Nicaragua (+49.5%), Cuba (+11.1%), Venezuela (+6.1%) and Brazil (+4.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Nicaragua emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a CAGR of +49.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Chile (-2.5%), Paraguay (-8.0%), Uruguay (-8.0%) and Mexico (-12.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Nicaragua and Venezuela increased by +25, +5.4, +3.8 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tobacco (unmanufactured) in Latin America and the Caribbean, comprising 63% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Nicaragua ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Paraguay, with a 7.1% share.

In the Dominican Republic, unmanufactured tobacco imports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Nicaragua (+62.6% per year) and Paraguay (-7.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Latin America and the Caribbean amounted to $X per ton, growing by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the import price increased by 12%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (+8.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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