Tanzania: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in Tanzania

The Tanzanian unmanufactured tobacco market skyrocketed to $X in 2022, with an increase of 142% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a abrupt decrease. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in Tanzania

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The average yield of tobacco (unmanufactured) in Tanzania skyrocketed to X kg per ha in 2022, with an increase of 53% on 2021 figures. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The unmanufactured tobacco yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of tobacco (unmanufactured) were harvested in Tanzania; with a decrease of -19.2% on 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the harvested area increased by 62%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to unmanufactured tobacco production reached the maximum at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports from Tanzania

In 2022, shipments 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. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 26%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports declined markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 17% 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

Belgium (X tons) was the main destination for unmanufactured tobacco exports from Tanzania, accounting for a 58% share of total exports. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco exports to Belgium exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, South Korea (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Poland (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Belgium totaled +23.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+3.5% per year) and Poland (-3.2% per year).

In value terms, Belgium ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for tobacco (unmanufactured) exports from Tanzania, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Belgium amounted to +25.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+3.0% per year) and France (+2.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average unmanufactured tobacco export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -28.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Russia (+2.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports into Tanzania

In 2022, the amount of tobacco (unmanufactured) imported into Tanzania shrank significantly to X tons, with a decrease of -35.6% against 2021 figures. In general, imports showed a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 924% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports shrank notably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 311% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons), India (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) were the main suppliers of unmanufactured tobacco imports to Tanzania, together comprising 76% of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Argentina, Congo, Malawi and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Argentina (with a CAGR of +201.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tobacco (unmanufactured) to Tanzania, comprising 49% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Switzerland, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Zimbabwe stood at +15.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+26.7% per year) and Switzerland (+41.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average unmanufactured tobacco import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price posted a moderate increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 170%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Uganda ($X per ton), while the price for Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uganda (+17.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform