Smoking tobacco market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Belgian smoking tobacco market operated under increasing regulatory pressure. The federal government raised excise duties on cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco in 2018, a move followed by another tax increase in 2021. This period also saw the emergence of nicotine pouches at the end of 2018, prompting immediate legislation to restrict their sale to minors. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, monitoring data indicated a rebound in smoking among some users, coinciding with a temporary rise in import volumes. Overall, import volumes declined from 6,138 tons in 2018 to 5,566 tons in 2021, reflecting the cumulative impact of higher taxes and tightening controls.

The market volume, measurable from 2022, was significantly shaped by the Interfederal Strategy 2022-2028 for a tobacco-free generation, adopted in 2022 alongside a scheduled excise hike. These measures, which included plans for plain packaging and stricter sales restrictions, contributed to a contraction of the market to 3,702 tons in 2023. That year also saw the announcement of further tax increases set for 2024 and an extension of smoking bans to railway stations. Despite the continuation of this stringent regulatory trend in 2024, including a royal decree mandating plain packaging for cigars and cigarillos, the market volume rebounded to 4,955 tons.

Production smoking tobacco in Belgium

According to Faostat, there is no production of smoking tobacco in Belgium.

Exports smoking tobacco from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's smoking tobacco exports rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 3 892 tonnes, but then increased by 15.7% in 2020 to reach 4 502 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 19.1%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain were Belgium's primary markets for smoking tobacco exports by volume. Germany accounted for 30.9% of exports, Luxembourg for 21.9%, and Spain for 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 67.1% of Belgium's total smoking tobacco exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's smoking tobacco exports in value terms also recovered after two years of decline. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at 131.5 million US dollars, with a decline of 12.2% that year. However, in 2020, exports surged by 38.0% to 181.4 million US dollars. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 21.1%, averaging an annual increase of 6.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Luxembourg, Spain, and Germany remained the top buyers of Belgian smoking tobacco in value terms. Luxembourg dominated with 58.1% of exports, followed by Spain at 11.9% and Germany at 10.5%. Collectively, these three markets made up 80.5% of Belgium's total smoking tobacco export value.

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

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

Imports smoking tobacco to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's smoking tobacco imports saw a modest recovery after two years of decline. In 2019, imports were at their lowest, totaling 5 356 tonnes, but they increased by 5.8% in 2020 to reach 5 668 tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a decline of 21.8%. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 27.8%, averaging an annual decrease of 10.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland were the main sources of smoking tobacco imports to Belgium by volume. Together, these three countries supplied 79.0% of Belgium's total smoking tobacco imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium's smoking tobacco imports in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 106.0 million US dollars, which was 1.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 34%, with an average annual decline of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland were the leading suppliers of smoking tobacco to Belgium in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 40.1% of imports, Germany for 30.0%, and Poland for 13.5%. Combined, these three countries represented 83.6% of Belgium's total smoking tobacco import value.

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

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