Tobacco cigarettes market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek tobacco cigarettes market saw considerable movement from 2018 to 2020. The announcement and subsequent expansion of heated tobacco products, particularly the PULZE device, introduced new technology to the market and helped drive volume up to 17.1 million units in 2019. This growth was interrupted in 2020 as ongoing tax increases and stricter regulatory constraints reduced consumption, pulling market volume down to 12.3 million units.

Market recovery began in 2021, supported by the widened availability of heated tobacco alternatives like IQOS and PULZE. Concurrent efforts by authorities to combat cigarette smuggling helped shift consumption toward the legal market, contributing to a rise in volume to 15.9 million units by 2022.

The market expanded sharply in 2023, reaching 25.3 million units, and continued to grow to 26.3 million units in 2024, establishing a new, higher level of market volume.

Production tobacco cigarettes in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Greece's tobacco cigarette production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 571.6 million US dollars, marking a 15.1% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 43.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 376.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 31.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Greece's tobacco cigarette production volume rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, 25 819 million units were produced, representing a 10.8% increase from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 012 million units, which also experienced the largest decline of 30.6%. The most substantial growth took place in 2019, with a 29.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Exports tobacco cigarettes from Greece

Exports in kind, M unit

Exported tobacco cigarette volumes from Greece increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 21 542 million units, up 9.2% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual decline of 9.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 19 475 million units, which saw the largest drop of 32.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

From 2017 to 2020, Libya, Bulgaria, and Egypt were the main destinations for Greece's tobacco cigarette exports in volume terms. Libya accounted for 25.5% of exports, Bulgaria for 18.8%, and Egypt for 6.3%. Together, these three countries represented 50.7% 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, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Greece's tobacco cigarette exports rebounded. In 2020, exports amounted to 255.3 million US dollars, showing a substantial increase of 20.9% compared to 2019. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 15.4% over the 2017-2020 period, with a compound annual decline of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 211.2 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 27.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Greece's tobacco cigarette exports in value terms. Libya accounted for 19.6% of exports, Bulgaria for 12.7%, and Albania for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 39.7% of total export value, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual 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 tobacco cigarettes to Greece

Imports in kind, M unit

Tobacco cigarette imports into Greece declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 7 973 million units, down 40.8% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.9%, with a compound annual decline of 4.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 14 062 million units, which also saw the largest increase of 51.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland, Romania, and Czechia formed the core of Greece's tobacco cigarette imports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 29.2% of imports, Romania for 27.6%, and Czechia for 19.3%. Together, these three suppliers represented 76.2% 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, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Greece's tobacco cigarette imports declined. In 2020, imports reached 119.7 million US dollars, indicating a sharp fall of 31.5% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 174.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 44.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Romania, and Germany were the leading suppliers of tobacco cigarettes to Greece in value terms. Poland accounted for 26.9% of imports, Romania for 26.0%, and Germany for 19.6%. Their combined share reached 72.4% of total import value.

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

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