Middle East: Tobacco Market 2025

Tobacco Market Size in the Middle East

In 2021, after nine years of growth, there was decline in the Middle Eastern tobacco market, when its value decreased by -1.7% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a strong increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Tobacco Production in the Middle East

In value terms, tobacco production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the production volume increased by 33%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Tobacco Exports

Exports in the Middle East

Tobacco exports dropped to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -7.8% on the year before. Overall, exports, however, showed resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, tobacco exports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 53%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) prevails in exports structure, together making up 89% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Jordan (X tons), committing a 7.4% share of total exports. Oman (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +22.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest tobacco supplying countries in the Middle East were Turkey ($X), the United Arab Emirates ($X) and Jordan ($X), with a combined 97% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Jordan, with a CAGR of +19.0%, 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 the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 5% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the export price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Jordan ($X per ton), while Oman ($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 a decline in the export price figures.

Tobacco Imports

Imports in the Middle East

After three years of growth, supplies from abroad of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) decreased by -2.9% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 12%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

In value terms, tobacco imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +50.7% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Iran (X tons), Turkey (X tons), the United Arab Emirates (X tons) and Iraq (X tons) was the main importer of tobacco (smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) in the Middle East, generating 73% of total import. Palestine (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 7.2% share, followed by Saudi Arabia (6.4%) and Lebanon (4.6%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key 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, the largest tobacco importing markets in the Middle East were Iran ($X), Turkey ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X), together comprising 60% of total imports. Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Palestine lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Among the main importing countries, Palestine, with a CAGR of +34.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.0%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 15% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

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 Iraq ($X per ton), while Palestine ($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

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