Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market for unmanufactured tobacco in the Americas showed considerable volatility. Volume declined from 826 thous. t in 2018 to 694 thous. t in 2020, before recovering to 800 thous. t in 2021. The market value mirrored this trend, falling from $4.1 bln to $3.0 bln and then rising to $3.5 bln over the same period.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2022, with market volume dropping to 506 thous. t and value to $2.9 bln. This was primarily driven by global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected production and trade flows. Concurrently, a long-term consolidation in U.S. tobacco farming—where the number of farms fell from 93,530 in 1997 to about 3,000 by 2022—significantly reduced domestic output, while consumer preferences continued shifting toward cigars and next-generation products, altering demand for raw leaf tobacco.

The market rebounded in 2023 to 632 thous. t, valued at $4.0 bln. This recovery was supported by the sustained export capacity of major regional producers like Brazil and the absence of new restrictive regulations. Global supply conditions, heavily influenced by large-scale production in India and China, also provided stability to the regional market.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

World map of production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

Production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 1 145 K t, which represents an 8.6% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 22.6%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in the Americas declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 343 M $ US, marking a significant contraction of 20.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 38.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.1%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the Americas exported 545.5 K t of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, reflecting a year-on-year reduction of 10.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 535.6 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 610.7 K t. The largest increase was observed in 2019, rising by 14.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from the Americas were supplied to a diverse range of markets. Belgium accounted for 21.6% of exports in kind, China for 8.6%, and Russia for 3.8%, together making up 33.9% of total exports. The remaining 66.1% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse deliveries from the Americas amounted to 2 069 M $ US, showing a decrease of 21.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 24%, with a CAGR of -8.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 4.3%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Belgium contributed 21.1% of exports in value, China 12.5%, and Indonesia 4.8%, together accounting for 38.3% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse into the Americas increased. In 2020, imports reached 94.9 K t, reflecting a gradual rise of 4.8% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.6%, with a CAGR of -2.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 90.6 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in kind of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to the Americas was quite broad. India accounted for 5.6% of imports in kind, Indonesia for 4.5%, and the Philippines for 2.0%, together representing only 12.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of improvement, imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse into the Americas declined. In 2020, imports came to 712 M $ US, showing a slight decline of 1.6% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 21.1%, with a CAGR of 6.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 724 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 12.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to the Americas were not heavily concentrated. Indonesia accounted for 4.8% of imports in value, India for 3.6%, and the Philippines for 3.2%, together capturing only 11.5% of total flows.

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

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