Tobacco cigars, cheroots and cigarillos market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Belgium's trade in tobacco cigars, cheroots and cigarillos showed notable shifts. Import values dipped in 2019 before recovering and surging to 91.8 млн долл. США in 2021. This recovery was partly driven by the regional impact of increased excise duties on cigars (by 33%) in France, which may have affected cross-border trade patterns. The COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 redirected some illicit tobacco purchases to the legal market, altering consumption behavior and supporting import demand. Subsequently, a sustained trend favoring cigarillos and other smoking tobaccos, due to differentiated taxation and tax calculation methods, further stimulated import growth in 2021 as consumer preferences shifted.

From 2022 onward, domestic production reached 236.1 млн долл. США in 2022 and edged up to 240.8 млн долл. США in 2023, while market size remained stable around 56 млн долл. США. The market for cigarillos continued to benefit from tax structures that made them relatively attractive to consumers. In late 2023, the legal definition of tobacco products including cigars and cigarillos was strengthened in the public health code, introducing tighter regulations. However, 2024 saw a sharp contraction: production fell to 155.6 млн долл. США and market size plummeted to 3.1 млн долл. США. This coincided with growing European demand for Cuban cigarillos, which, coupled with limited production capacity in Cuba, influenced supply conditions on the Belgian market.

Production tobacco cigars, cheroots and cigarillos in Belgium

According to Faostat, there is no production of tobacco cigars, cheroots and cigarillos in Belgium.

Exports tobacco cigars, cheroots and cigarillos from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium exported 2 232 tonnes of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos, representing a significant decrease of 15.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 19.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Spain were the leading destinations for Belgium's exports of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 62.8% of exports, France for 12.7%, and Spain for 5.9%, together making up 81.4% of total export flows.

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

In 2020, the value of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos exported from Belgium totaled 213.3 million US dollars, showing a slight decline of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 195.9 million US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 216.9 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 2.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 10.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands, France, and Spain remained the primary buyers of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos from Belgium in value terms. The Netherlands held 48.9% of exports, France 24.3%, and Spain 5.5%, collectively forming 78.7% of total 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 tobacco cigars, cheroots and cigarillos to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Belgium's imports of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos increased in 2020. The country imported 973 tonnes, marking a rise of 6.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 42.9%, with an annualized rate of -17.0%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 916 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 31.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka were the main sources for Belgium's imports of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos in volume terms. The Netherlands contributed 43.5% of imports, Indonesia 28.0%, and Sri Lanka 14.0%, together accounting for 85.5% of total import flows.

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

Following a two-year decrease, Belgium's cross-border shipments of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos increased in 2020. Imports totaled 63.7 million US dollars, constituting a strong gain of 21.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.4%, with an annualized rate of -0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 52.5 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.0%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Cuba led the ranking of suppliers of tobacco cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos to Belgium in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 51.6% of imports, Indonesia for 17.1%, and Cuba for 11.2%, with their combined share reaching 79.9% of total 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