Cigarette paper market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cigarette paper in Lithuania expanded significantly between 2018 and 2020, with volume rising from 3 677 t to 5 062 t. This growth was primarily driven by increasing consumer interest in roll-your-own tobacco, which allowed for personalized smoking experiences. Regulatory changes that raised excise taxes and imposed stricter advertising limits on traditional cigarettes further encouraged a shift toward RYO products, boosting demand for cigarette paper.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused temporary supply chain disruptions, but the market continued to grow as changing consumer habits sustained RYO usage. However, by 2022, a growing preference for reduced-risk products like heated tobacco and e-cigarettes began to dampen demand for cigarette paper, leading to a stabilization of market volume around 5 040 t by 2024. Concurrently, the market value increased sharply, reaching 17 630 thousand USD in 2024, partly due to the emergence of eco-friendly and biodegradable paper segments that commanded higher prices.

Throughout the period, new labeling requirements and packaging standardization rules were introduced, affecting production and compliance costs. The entry of new players focused on sustainable products and the adaptation of major tobacco companies to these regulations shaped the market's evolution, though domestic production ceased by 2024.

Production cigarette paper in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's cigarette paper production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 6 759 K $ US, showing relative stability compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production decreased by 8.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2020, Lithuania produced 988.0 t of cigarette paper, marking a robust 11.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 888.6 t, which represented a 2.6% decline from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cigarette paper from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Cigarette paper exports from Lithuania declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Lithuania exported 1 490 t of cigarette paper, down 21.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 40.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (38.4% of exports in kind), Hungary (16.6%), and Poland (12.9%) were the primary buyers of Lithuanian cigarette paper, jointly accounting for 67.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of cigarette paper exports from Lithuania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 19 535 K $ US, representing a 4.7% increase compared to 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, export value decreased by 15.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 707 K $ US, marking a 23.1% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 5.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, the three largest markets for Lithuanian cigarette paper exports in value terms were Germany, Hungary, and Poland, together accounting for 74.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports cigarette paper to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, cigarette paper imports to Lithuania declined. In 2021, imports reached 5 115 t, down 14.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual decline of 0.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 959 t, which represented a 7.6% increase from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets — Austria, Spain, and China — together supplied 58.4% of Lithuania's total cigarette paper imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Lithuania's cigarette paper import value declined. In 2021, imports totaled 19 556 K $ US, down 18.9% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 24 111 K $ US, marking a 15.5% increase from 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Austria (29.6% of imports in value terms), Spain (18.1%), and Poland (13.8%) stood out as the main sources of cigarette paper imports to Lithuania, together representing 61.5% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021