Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for unmanufactured tobacco in Bolivia fluctuated, rising from 1 383 t to 1 500 t in 2019 before falling to 1 340 t in 2020. The 2019 increase aligned with the high prevalence of flavored capsule products, which made up over 60% of cigarette consumption and bolstered demand for raw tobacco. The subsequent drop in 2020 followed the enactment of Law No. 1280 in February of that year, which introduced comprehensive tobacco control measures, including advertising bans, and contributed to a sharp decline in imports.

After 2020, the market recovered, reaching 1 479 t in 2021 and 1 569 t in 2022, even as regulatory efforts continued, such as the Ministry of Health's campaigns for smoke‑free environments. In 2023, market volume jumped to 2 256 t, driven by a surge in imports to 1 062 t. This growth occurred alongside further regulatory tightening under Supreme Decree No. 4972 in June 2023, which mandated smoke‑free signage and stricter point‑of‑sale advertising rules. Domestic production remained steady at around 1 200 t annually, supported by the longstanding presence of Compañía Industrial de Tabacos S.A. (CITSA), the sole historical manufacturer in the sector.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

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

Bolivia's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached 1 202 tonnes, which was the highest level recorded during the period. In 2020, production remained relatively stable at 1 201 tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.6%, averaging an annual increase of 1.8%. The most significant yearly growth occurred in 2018, with a rise of 3.6%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Bolivia

Industry analysis indicates that Bolivia did not export any unmanufactured tobacco and refuse between 2017 and 2020.

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Bolivia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in 2019 increased by 45.4% compared to the previous year. However, in 2020, imports dropped sharply to 138.5 tonnes, marking a significant decrease of 53.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall imports fell by 62.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 27.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina and Brazil were the primary suppliers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Bolivia, accounting for 93.9% of total imports by volume. Other countries contributed a smaller portion to Bolivia's import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Bolivia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms rose by 37.4%. By 2020, however, import values had contracted dramatically to 450 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 46.8% from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import values declined by 57.9%, averaging an annual drop of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina and Brazil dominated Bolivia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in monetary terms, together representing 87.8% of the total value. The remaining share was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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