Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Western Africa grew to 66 896 tonnes in 2019, up from 54 258 tonnes in 2018. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when volume dropped to 59 721 tonnes, a shift largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting global supply chains and altering consumption habits.

After a further contraction to 55 942 tonnes in 2021, market volume rebounded strongly to 71 417 tonnes in 2022. The following year, however, saw a decline to 58 327 tonnes. This decrease coincided with stricter regulations on tobacco retail, continuous price increases, and a growing consumer shift toward alternative products such as shisha and snuff, which collectively dampened overall demand for raw tobacco.

Regulatory pressure intensified in 2024 with the implementation of new environmental rules, enhanced product traceability requirements, and higher minimum prices under national anti-tobacco plans. These measures, along with expanded outdoor smoking bans, continued to reshape the market environment.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Western Africa

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

In 2020, Western Africa produced 23 968 tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, showing a modest 5.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse production in Western Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 181.2 million US dollars, representing a 24.0% drop from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 29.7%, with an average annual contraction of 11.1%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Western Africa's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 950 tonnes, marking a 17.3% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 33.3%, with an average annual decline of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic were the key partners for Western Africa's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by volume. Congo accounted for 27.7% of exports, Chad for 22.1%, and the Central African Republic for 16.4%, together representing 66.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Africa's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 14.7 million US dollars, indicating a sharp 33.5% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 49.7%, equating to an average annual rate of decline of 20.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Western Africa's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by value were Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Congo accounted for 44.2% of exports, Chad for 27.8%, and the Central African Republic for 14.8%, jointly making up 86.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Africa imported 37 703 tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, down 14.1% from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 32 276 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 43 895 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 15.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 36.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, France, and India formed the core group of markets for Western Africa's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by volume. Brazil accounted for 30.7% of imports, France for 19.9%, and India for 13.5%, together representing 64.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Western Africa's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 267.3 million US dollars, a 6.6% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 286.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Brazil, and India played the leading roles in Western Africa's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by value. France accounted for 48.9% of imports, Brazil for 20.4%, and India for 9.8%, jointly taking 79.1% of total flows.

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

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