SADC: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC unmanufactured tobacco market was finally on the rise to reach $X after five years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in SADC

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 48%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Malawi (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons), together comprising 80% of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while production for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the production figures.

In 2022, the average yield of tobacco (unmanufactured) in SADC reduced to X tons per ha, waning by -8.8% on 2021. Overall, the yield recorded a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 125%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the unmanufactured tobacco yield remained at a lower figure. 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 rose remarkably to X ha in 2022, increasing by 15% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to unmanufactured tobacco production reached the maximum at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of tobacco (unmanufactured) decreased by -1.2% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 28%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports amounted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 9.3%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Zimbabwe (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) were the major exporters of tobacco (unmanufactured) in SADC, together constituting 69% of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Mozambique (10%) and Zambia (7.7%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest unmanufactured tobacco supplying countries in SADC were Zimbabwe ($X), Malawi ($X) and Zambia ($X), with a combined 83% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Zambia, with a CAGR of +2.4%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 1.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, 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 Zambia ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zambia (+3.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of tobacco (unmanufactured) imported in SADC rose markedly to X tons, with an increase of 6.7% on the previous year. Overall, imports, however, recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports reached $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 3.4% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) represented the key importers of tobacco (unmanufactured) in SADC, together resulting at near 70% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Zimbabwe (X tons) and Angola (X tons), together making up an 18% share of total imports. Tanzania (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Madagascar (with a CAGR of +15.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, Malawi ($X), South Africa ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 81% of total imports.

Malawi, with a CAGR of +10.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 SADC amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Madagascar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malawi (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform