Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unmanufactured tobacco in Côte d'Ivoire showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 15 273 tons in 2018, volume jumped to 19 435 tons in 2019, then fell to 13 877 tons in 2020. A rebound followed, lifting the market to 18 591 tons in 2021 and a peak of 20 315 tons in 2022, before a contraction to 15 986 tons in 2023.

Regulatory developments significantly influenced market dynamics. The 2019 anti-tobacco law created a legal framework for control and traceability. This was reinforced by a 2022 decree that instituted a tracking and monitoring system for tobacco products, strengthening oversight and fraud prevention, which supported the market expansion up to 2022. The subsequent decline in 2023 coincided with the launch of the 2023-2027 national anti-tobacco plan, which included measures like higher cigarette prices and the extension of smoke-free zones to beaches and parks, directly curbing consumption.

The local manufacturer SITAB, with its Fine brand holding a 45% market share, remained a key player despite facing a challenging tax environment and rising imports. In 2024, tobacco was added to the list of products under price competition regulation, and wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials, including tobacco, recorded exceptional growth of 111% in September, pointing to continued sector activity.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Côte d'Ivoire

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

Côte d'Ivoire's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 426 tonnes, marking a modest 1.7% rise from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 8 029 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 3.2% growth.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable volatility during the observed period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 4.4 times. In 2020, cross-border shipments of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Côte d'Ivoire reached 364 tonnes, showing a substantial 76.9% increase compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 206 tonnes, while the largest decline of 66.4% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse were highly concentrated, with Burkina Faso accounting for 95.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market displayed significant volatility over these years. Exports changed dramatically, with a 69-fold difference from the peak in 2020 to the trough in 2018. In 2020, Côte d'Ivoire exported 1.8 million US dollars worth of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, representing an extraordinary 4,665.7% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of exports in value terms showed a strong reliance on Senegal, which absorbed 90.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Côte d'Ivoire's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 5 815 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 48.8% drop from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 353 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 50.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017–2020 period, France dominated Côte d'Ivoire's imports in kind, accounting for 70.8% of total flows, with the remainder spread across a fragmented group of other markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Côte d'Ivoire's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled 93.3 million US dollars, indicating a dramatic 28.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports overall increased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 131.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms were almost exclusively supplied by France, which absorbed 92.4% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020