Market research

Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Bhutan

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for unmanufactured tobacco in Bhutan experienced gradual growth, with volume increasing from 214 t to 219 t. This steady rise reflected consistent domestic production as imports remained negligible.

The market landscape transformed in July 2021 with the government's decision to lift the comprehensive ban on tobacco sales enforced since 2004. This policy shift, aimed at reducing illicit trade, directly triggered a surge in legal availability, driving the total market volume to 250 t. The Bhutan Food and Drug Regulatory Authority concurrently established oversight for product standards, while public awareness campaigns addressed the environmental impact of increased consumption.

After the initial spike, the market volume corrected to 221 t in 2022 before rising again to 236 t in 2023. Throughout this period, the regulatory framework and environmental enforcement measures introduced in 2021 remained in effect, guiding the market's development under the new legal regime.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Bhutan
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Bhutan in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Bhutan in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bhutan by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bhutan by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bhutan, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bhutan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, kg
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2025, kg
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Bhutan by countries, 2018-2025, kg
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Bhutan by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bhutan, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Bhutan by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Trade balance
1. 7.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. In kind, kg
  2. 7.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 7.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. In kind, kg
  2. 7.2.2. In value, K $ US
8. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 8.1. Direct Data
  1. 8.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 8.2. Mirror Data
  1. 8.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 8.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Bhutan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Bhutan's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production remained virtually unchanged from 2020, with 219.4 tonnes produced. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 2.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.3%	1.2%	0.3%	0.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Bhutan

According to compiled industry data, Bhutan did not export any unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from 2018 to 2021.

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Bhutan

Imports in kind, kg

Bhutan's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse have risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports reached 30 951 kg, marking a sharp increase of 7 634.1% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports surged by 2 091 183.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2 655.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.0%	26 402.6%	7 634.1%	2 655.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Bhutan's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse were heavily dependent on India, which accounted for 100.0% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Bhutan's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 142.2 thousand US dollars, representing a rise of 6 816.8% over 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 2 778 024.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2 928.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	110.2%	19 012.0%	6 816.8%	2 928.7%

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2018–2021 period, India was the dominant and nearly exclusive market for Bhutan's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms, making up 100.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io