Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Myanmar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume of unmanufactured tobacco in Myanmar increased from 22 519 t to 31 389 t. This growth was driven by a rise in domestic production, which peaked in 2019 due to favorable agricultural factors such as yield and harvested area. Habitual consumption patterns and low barriers to access also supported demand. In 2020, Japan Tobacco International's plans for local production, announced earlier, contributed to further supply expansion.

The market volume stabilized at around 31 278 t in 2021 following the mandate for plain packaging of cigarettes, which aimed to reduce tobacco product appeal, but its implementation was repeatedly postponed due to industry lobbying. A subsequent increase to 32 643 t in 2022 coincided with another delay of standardized packaging. However, in 2023, the market volume declined to 30 605 t amid British American Tobacco's announcement to exit the market by year-end.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Myanmar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar ranked as the 25th largest global producer of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse.

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

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

Myanmar's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 32 352 tonnes, marking a 15.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 18.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 26 174 tonnes, which also saw the biggest decline of 4.3%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Myanmar

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Myanmar's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse fell in 2020. Exports dropped to 3 217 tonnes, a sharp 49.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 30.4%, with an average annual decrease of 11.4%. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 6 355 tonnes, following the largest increase of 33.7% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, China, and Indonesia consistently led Myanmar's export markets by volume. India accounted for 47.9% of exports, China for 24.7%, and Indonesia for 10.8%, together making up 83.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The period from 2017 to 2020 saw fluctuations with a peak-to-trough difference of threefold. In 2020, Myanmar's exports were valued at 4 686 thousand US dollars, a steep 66.5% drop from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 23.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, India, Vietnam, and China were the top markets for Myanmar's exports by value, collectively representing 72.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Myanmar

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes were volatile during this period. The highest imports were in 2017, while the lowest were in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 2 255 tonnes, down 19.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 73.3%, followed by an increase of 11.5% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil and Jordan dominated Myanmar's imports by volume, together holding an 80.1% share of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values followed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. The period from 2017 to 2018 experienced significant volatility, with a peak-to-trough difference of 9.9 times. In 2020, imports were valued at 6 736 thousand US dollars, up 15.7% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4 602 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 89.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 26.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Jordan were the leading markets for Myanmar's imports by value, jointly accounting for 83.1% of total flows, with other countries making up the rest.

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

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