Market research

Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Eastern Asia

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Asia" region includes following countries:

China

Hong Kong

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Macao

Mongolia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unmanufactured tobacco in Eastern Asia expanded significantly in 2019, reaching a volume of 2 790 thousand tonnes and a value of 9 251 million USD. This growth was primarily driven by the overseas market expansion of major tobacco companies and the accelerating consumer shift towards heated tobacco products, which increased demand for tobacco leaf.

In 2020, the market contracted sharply to 2 248 thousand tonnes and 6 510 million USD due to the widespread supply chain and consumption disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A subsequent recovery began in 2021, supported by the continued strong growth of the heated tobacco segment and ongoing product innovation, with the market volume reaching 2 513 thousand tonnes and value 8 923 million USD by 2023.

Throughout the period, regulatory developments such as the introduction of mandatory adult identification cards and taxation on synthetic nicotine products shaped the finished goods landscape. The underlying demand for raw tobacco remained resilient, sustained by the industry's strategic focus on developing reduced-risk products and diversifying its offerings in response to changing consumer preferences.

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, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2019, Eastern Asia produced 2 742 thousand tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, marking the highest output in the period. This represented a significant increase of 15.6% from the previous year. However, production fell sharply in 2020 to 2 263 thousand tonnes, a decline of 17.5% compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 10.4%, with an average annual decline rate of 3.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.0%)	15.6%	(17.5%)	(3.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse production in Eastern Asia reached its peak at 8 127 million US dollars, up 16.0% from the previous year. By 2020, this value had dropped significantly to 5 764 million US dollars, a steep contraction of 29.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 24.2%, with an average annual decline rate of 8.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(7.9%)	16.0%	(29.1%)	(8.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2018, Eastern Asia's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind reached their lowest point at 189.5 thousand tonnes, a decline of 10.3% from the previous year. Exports recovered slightly in 2019, increasing by 3.1%, but fell again in 2020 to 189.9 thousand tonnes, a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 3.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.3%)	3.1%	(2.7%)	(3.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates were the top buyers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Eastern Asia in kind. Belgium accounted for 22.3% of exports, Indonesia for 19.7%, and the United Arab Emirates for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 51.2% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of Eastern Asia's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse increased by 3.5% from the previous year. However, in 2020, export value fell to 484 million US dollars, down 16.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports in value terms decreased by 24%, with an average annual decline rate of 8.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.1%)	3.5%	(16.4%)	(8.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest markets for Eastern Asia's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 57.7% of total export flows during this period.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, Eastern Asia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind increased by 10.2% from the previous year. However, in 2020, import volume dropped sharply to 174.8 thousand tonnes, a decline of 28.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.4%, with an average annual decline rate of 11.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.2%)	10.2%	(28.2%)	(11.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and the United States were the key sources for Eastern Asia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind. Zimbabwe and Brazil each accounted for 29.0% of imports, while the United States represented 10.0%. Combined, these three countries made up 68.0% of total import flows in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, the value of Eastern Asia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse increased by 9.0% from the previous year. By 2020, import value had fallen to 1 230 million US dollars, a sharp decline of 27.8% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 32.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 12.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.4%)	9.0%	(27.8%)	(12.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and the United States consistently led as the top sources for Eastern Asia's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms. Zimbabwe accounted for 37.0% of imports, Brazil for 25.5%, and the United States for 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 74.9% of total import flows in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io