Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek market for cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes underwent significant regulatory shaping starting in 2018 with Law 4419/2016, which transposed the EU Tobacco Products Directive. This law set strict conditions for new tobacco products and banned cross-border distance sales from abroad into Greece. The following year, a traceability system for cigarettes and fine-cut tobacco was introduced to combat smuggling, which had been fueled by high tax incentives. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted consumer preferences towards non-combustible alternatives like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, contributing to a temporary contraction in the traditional market volume.

From 2021 onward, continuous regulatory tightening included the use of digital registries for market control and mandatory pre-market notifications for new tobacco products requiring detailed scientific assessments. The scheduled expansion of the traceability system to all tobacco products by 2024 further aimed at ensuring market legality. Enhanced enforcement and control measures, particularly against illicit trade, succeeded in reducing illegal cigarette consumption to its lowest level in a decade by 2024, supporting the sustained growth of the legal market value and production throughout the period.

Production cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Greece's production of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 571.6 million US dollars, showing a robust 15.1% improvement compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 43.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2018 at 376.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.6%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 31.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Greece's export volumes of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 18 330 tonnes, indicating a moderate 9.2% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 16 560 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 32.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Libya, Bulgaria, and Egypt were the primary markets for Greece's exports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes in volume terms. Libya accounted for 25.5% of exports, Bulgaria for 18.8%, and Egypt for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 50.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Greece's exports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes have increased. In 2020, exports reached 256.4 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 21.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.1%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 211.5 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 27.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece's export market for cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes in value terms was diverse. Libya was the top buyer with 19.5% of exports, followed by Bulgaria at 12.7% and Albania at 7.5%. Together, these three countries contributed 39.7% of total export value, with many other nations holding smaller but significant shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020

Imports cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's imports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 7 228 tonnes, down by 40.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.6%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.5%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 12 772 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 49.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Romania, and Czechia were the main sources for Greece's imports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes in volume terms. Together, these three countries supplied 72.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Greece's imports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes have declined. In 2020, imports stood at 141.4 million US dollars, marking a 31.7% decrease from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 207.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 40.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Romania, and Germany were the leading markets for Greece's imports of cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, and cigarettes in value terms. Poland accounted for 24.3% of imports, Romania for 21.7%, and Germany for 18.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 64.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020