MENA: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in MENA

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was growth in the MENA's unmanufactured tobacco market, when its value increased by 0.2% to $X. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in MENA

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of unmanufactured tobacco production was Turkey (X tons), accounting for 44% of total volume. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Yemen (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Iran (X tons), with a 12% share.

In Turkey, unmanufactured tobacco production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Yemen (+1.8% per year) and Iran (+0.5% per year).

The average unmanufactured tobacco yield amounted to X tons per ha in 2022, almost unchanged from the year before. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 12%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. 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 expanded modestly to X ha in 2022, picking up by 3.7% on the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the unmanufactured tobacco harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports in MENA

In 2022, shipments abroad of tobacco (unmanufactured) increased by 7.5% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports shrank slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Turkey was the major exporter of tobacco (unmanufactured) in MENA, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 81% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons), generating an 11% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to unmanufactured tobacco exports from Turkey stood at -2.6%. Lebanon experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. the United Arab Emirates (-12.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Turkey and Lebanon increased by +2.4 and +2.1 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest unmanufactured tobacco supplier in MENA, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Lebanon ($X), with a 9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey totaled -4.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Lebanon (-1.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-7.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -8.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 31%. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+6.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports in MENA

In 2022, supplies from abroad of tobacco (unmanufactured) was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -19.8% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports dropped slightly to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) represented roughly 70% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X tons), constituting a 5.9% share of total imports. The following importers - Yemen (X tons), Iran (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Algeria (X tons), Jordan (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) - together made up 23% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +9.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Iran ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 74% share of total imports. Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and Lebanon lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

Algeria, with a CAGR of +10.8%, recorded 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in MENA stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -6.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 3.5%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iran (+5.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform