Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for unmanufactured tobacco in Burkina Faso expanded from 1 126 t to 1 492 t, driven largely by a surge in imports. This growth coincided with an increase in the tobacco tax rate from 45% to 50%, which, without a corresponding rise in retail prices, encouraged the development of illicit supply chains and boosted inbound shipments.

The market contracted by 22% to 1 169 t in 2021 following substantial customs seizures of illegal tobacco, which disrupted smuggling routes, and inflation that dampened consumer demand. The decline continued into 2022, with the market volume falling to 917 t, reflecting sustained efforts to curb illicit trade.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 940 t, showing a modest increase from the previous year. During this period, management of tobacco industry interference improved, and in 2024, economic growth of around 4.9% supported demand while preparations were made for a new traceability system to enhance market control.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Burkina Faso

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

In Burkina Faso, production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse reached 756.0 t in 2020, marking a slight decrease of 0.7% from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 737.5 t. That year also saw the largest decline in production, with a drop of 3.3%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, rising by 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Burkina Faso

According to marketing research, Burkina Faso did not export any unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from 2017 through 2020.

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, t

Imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse into Burkina Faso have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 735.7 t, representing a 26.7% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 76.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 20.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 388.1 t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 49.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire were the primary sources for Burkina Faso's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind, together making up 80.4% of total imports. The remainder was distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 57-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of foreign unmanufactured tobacco and refuse supplies to Burkina Faso was 50.4 K $ US, reflecting a strong increase of 16.3% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12.2 K $ US, which also had the largest decline of 98.3%. The biggest increase happened in 2019, surging by 254.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire dominated Burkina Faso's imports in value terms, accounting for 86.5% of total flows. The rest was spread across a fragmented group of other markets.

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

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