Smoking tobacco market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Greece's smoking tobacco market fell to 15 986 t in 2019 from 19 812 t the previous year, then recovered to 19 142 t in 2020, with its value following a similar pattern, dropping to 111.7 million US dollars before rising sharply to 151.7 million US dollars.

Subsequent years brought notable changes to the market landscape: in 2021, PMI expanded its local presence by acquiring exclusive control of Claudio HoldCo, while 2022 saw the government implement a digital registry and QR-code system for tobacco sales points to strengthen age verification, a move complemented by BAT Hellas rolling out AI-based verification tools. BAT further diversified the market in 2023 with the launch of the 'lil SOLID' heated-tobacco device, and in 2024, Greek authorities introduced specific regulations for nicotine pouches, mandating digital traceability and packaging rules.

Production smoking tobacco in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Greece's smoking tobacco production was valued at 126.5 million US dollars, marking a 5.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 45.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.8%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 40.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Greece produced 17,499 tonnes of smoking tobacco, showing little change from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 24.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The peak production was in 2018 at 18,033 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2019, at 3.5%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018, reaching 28.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports smoking tobacco from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Greece's smoking tobacco export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1,736 tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 57.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 61.4%, with an average annual decline of 27.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4,902 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Portugal were the leading destinations for Greece's smoking tobacco exports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 52.8% of exports, Lithuania for 20.2%, and Portugal for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 76.7% 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, K $ US

Smoking tobacco exports from Greece declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 17,433 thousand US dollars, down by 56.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 46.6%, equating to an average annual decrease of 18.9%. The peak value was in 2018 at 41,670 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Luxembourg emerged as the primary markets for Greece's smoking tobacco exports in value terms. Poland held 40.1% of exports, Lithuania 16.1%, and Luxembourg 8.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 64.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports smoking tobacco to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece imported 2,643 tonnes of smoking tobacco, up by 27.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.9%, with an average annual decline of 19.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 2,643 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 6,681 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 60.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands formed the key group of partners for Greece's smoking tobacco imports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 25.6% of imports, Belgium for 23.9%, and the Netherlands for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 64.8% of total import flows.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Greece imported approximately 42,566 thousand US dollars worth of smoking tobacco, which is 31.8% more than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26%, with an average annual decline of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 32,296 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 60,121 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 46.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Belgium consistently held leading positions in Greece's smoking tobacco imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 33.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 25.1%, and Belgium for 15.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 74.4% 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