Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in France, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unmanufactured tobacco in France contracted sharply from 67 376 t in 2018 to 32 814 t in 2020. This decline was driven by sustained price increases on tobacco products initiated from November 2017 and reinforced by anti-smoking campaigns, including plain packaging measures. Domestic production fell from 7 046 t to 3 530 t over the same period, reflecting reduced demand for locally grown tobacco.

From 2021 onward, the market volume recovered, reaching 53 790 t in 2023. This growth coincided with a rise in imports, which increased from 45 893 t in 2020 to 58 788 t in 2023, while exports continued to decline. During this period, the market saw a continued shift toward alternative nicotine products, with their share doubling from 3% in 2017 to 6% in 2023.

Throughout the period, high taxation at 83.5% and a state monopoly on retail distribution via Logista France shaped the market. The price of rolling tobacco more than doubled from €11.47 in 2017 to €23.90 in 2022, contributing to declining smoking rates among youth, where daily smokers aged 17 fell from 25.1% in 2017 to 15.6% in 2022.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in France

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

France's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 530 tonnes, which represents a significant drop of 33.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 55.3%, with an average annual decline of 23.5%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from France

Exports in kind, t

France's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 16 608 tonnes, down 8.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 20.4%, with an average annual decrease of 7.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 31 165 tonnes, which marked a 49.4% increase from the previous year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 41.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from France in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Poland consistently led France's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in volume terms. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 36.3% of exports, Senegal for 14.5%, and Poland for 9.6%. Together, these three countries made up 60.4% of France's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

France's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms have fallen for the third year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 158.9 million US dollars, reflecting a 13.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 16.7%, with an average annual drop of 5.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Poland were the top destinations for France's unmanufactured tobacco and refuse exports in value terms. Côte d'Ivoire held a 52.4% share, Senegal 18.2%, and Poland 5.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 76.1% of France's total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to France

Imports in kind, t

France's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 45 893 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume fell by 23.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 91 495 tonnes, which represented a 53.2% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 48.9% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, China, and the United States were notable suppliers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to France in volume terms, though their combined share was not dominant. Brazil accounted for 23.3% of imports, China for 12.0%, and the United States for 9.9%. Together, these three countries made up 45.1% of France's total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms increased in 2020, totaling 124.0 million US dollars, which is a 6.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 8.4%, with an average annual increase of 2.7%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 175.1 million US dollars, marking a 53.0% jump from the prior year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 33.7% drop.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and China were the key sources for France's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms. Brazil held a 30.6% share, Zimbabwe 11.1%, and China 9.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.1% of France's total import value during this timeframe.

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

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