MENA: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in MENA

After nine years of growth, the MENA's tobacco market decreased by -0.5% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate prominent growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Tobacco Production in MENA

In value terms, tobacco production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +108.8% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 29%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2021, overseas shipments of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) decreased by -6.1% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 76% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco exports amounted to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 45%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the key exporters of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in 2021, resulting at near 41% and 34% of total exports, respectively. Egypt (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Jordan (X tons). All these countries together held near 19% share of total exports. The following exporters - Oman (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) - each amounted to a 3.7% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Egypt (with a CAGR of +73.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tobacco supplying countries in MENA were Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Egypt ($X), together accounting for 85% of total exports.

Egypt, with a CAGR of +90.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 2021, the export price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 8% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 29% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Oman ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+11.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2021, the amount of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) imported in MENA amounted to X tons, increasing by 1.8% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 12%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, tobacco imports expanded notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons), Algeria (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Iraq (X tons) represented the main importer of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in MENA, creating 73% of total import. Palestine (X tons) took a 5.8% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Saudi Arabia (5.2%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Iraq (with a CAGR of +31.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Algeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in MENA, comprising 29% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Iran ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 13% share.

In Algeria, tobacco imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Iran (+7.9% per year) and Turkey (+3.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in MENA amounted to $X per ton, growing by 8.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the import price increased by 15%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Palestine (+33.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform