Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the unmanufactured tobacco market in Poland fluctuated between 130.9 thousand tons and 142.6 thousand tons from 2018 to 2023, reaching its peak in 2023. Domestic production over this period more than halved, falling from 33.2 thousand tons to 17.4 thousand tons, while imports remained high, exceeding 130 thousand tons annually.

Poland is a leading consumer of unmanufactured tobacco in the European Union, with EU-wide consumption reaching 462 thousand tons in 2024. The market is characterized by high import dependency, and EU production rose by 35% to 169 thousand tons in 2024, affecting regional supply dynamics.

Despite the decline in local output, market volume recovered by 2023, supported by sustained import flows. In 2024, imports stood at 133.4 thousand tons and exports at 21.4 thousand tons, underscoring the continued reliance on foreign supplies.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Poland ranked as the 24th largest producer of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

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

Poland's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 20 420 tonnes, which represents a 29.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 37.2%, translating to an annualized decline of 14.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 33 190 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 2.1% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Poland's production value of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 63.4 million US dollars, marking a 24.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 32.3%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of decline of 12.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 103.3 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 10.3% also occurring in that year.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Poland's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse amounted to 24.5 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial year-over-year decline of 20.0%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Belgium formed the key group of partners for Poland's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in kind. Germany accounted for 26.8% of exports, Italy for 16.6%, and Belgium for 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented 52.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Poland's export value of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 76.0 million US dollars, marking a 15.1% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 18.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Belgium were the main markets for Poland's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms. Germany accounted for 23.3% of exports, Italy for 18.9%, and Belgium for 8.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 143.0 thousand tonnes, constituting a 3.7% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 13%, translating to an annualized increase of 4.2%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse imports to Poland were sourced from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Brazil, India, and Mozambique—together accounted for only 40.5% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse totaled 704.6 million US dollars, marking a moderate rise of 3.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 714.8 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 14.1% also occurring that year. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Poland in value terms were spread across many countries. Brazil accounted for 23.8% of imports, the United States for 8.9%, and Germany for 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 40.8% of total import flows.

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

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