Middle East: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in the Middle East

In 2022, the Middle Eastern unmanufactured tobacco market decreased by -2.4% to $X, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in the Middle East

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Turkey (X tons) remains the largest unmanufactured tobacco producing country in the Middle East, comprising approx. 48% of total volume. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Yemen (X tons), threefold. Iran (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Turkey was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Yemen (+1.8% per year) and Iran (+0.5% per year).

In 2022, the average unmanufactured tobacco yield in the Middle East amounted to X tons per ha, approximately equating the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the yield increased by 14% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached 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.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of tobacco (unmanufactured) production in the Middle East was estimated at X ha, with an increase of 3.6% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 16%. As a result, the harvested area attained 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 the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of tobacco (unmanufactured) increased by 7.4% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports reduced slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 15%. 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

In 2022, Turkey (X tons) was the main exporter of tobacco (unmanufactured), mixing up 82% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Lebanon (X tons), committing an 11% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Turkey decreased at an average annual rate of -2.6% from 2012 to 2022. Lebanon experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. the United Arab Emirates (-12.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Turkey (+2.6 p.p.) and Lebanon (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while the United Arab Emirates saw its share reduced by -6.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest unmanufactured tobacco supplier in the Middle East, comprising 86% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lebanon ($X), with a 9.1% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey stood at -4.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Lebanon (-1.3% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (-7.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: 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 the Middle East

In 2022, the amount of tobacco (unmanufactured) imported in the Middle East rose modestly to X tons, surging by 1.8% compared with the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +34.2% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 29%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports reduced to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Turkey (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) prevails in imports structure, together creating 84% of total imports. Yemen (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Iran (X tons). All these countries together took near 9.6% share of total imports. The following importers - Jordan (X tons) and Lebanon (X tons) - together made up 5.2% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading 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) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 89% share of total imports.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +10.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the import price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, declining by -7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 6.1%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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