Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Western Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the unmanufactured tobacco market in Western Asia experienced volatile growth, with overall volume rising from 280.3 thousand tons to 342.1 thousand tons. The market saw a significant surge in 2020 to 322.6 thousand tons, followed by a sharp contraction in 2021 before recovering and reaching a new peak in 2023.

This expansion was primarily driven by imports, which increased from 223.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 268.9 thousand tons in 2023 despite annual fluctuations. Domestic production also grew moderately, peaking at 152.2 thousand tons in 2022. In 2022, global health organizations reinforced the link between tobacco and preventable cancers, highlighting ongoing regulatory pressures on the market.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, with its worth climbing to $1.6 billion in 2023 from $1.3 billion in 2018, indicating possible price increases or shifts in product mix alongside the volume growth over the period.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

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

Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse production in Western Asia has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 150.7 K t, marking a significant 13.5% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 130.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 11.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Asia's unmanufactured tobacco and refuse production value has rebounded. In 2020, output was valued at 739.7 M $ US, representing an 18.7% gain over the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 623.0 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 21.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 24.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.1%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse exports from Western Asia amounted to 72.5 K t, a 3.6% increase compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 74.2 K t, which saw the largest increase of 6.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.7%. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Western Asia were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The United States accounted for 22.4% of exports in kind, Belgium for 14.0%, and Russia for 8.8%, with these three countries together representing 45.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse exports from Western Asia have increased. In 2020, exports reached 356.0 M $ US, up 8.3% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 328.6 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 26.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 23.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Belgium, and Indonesia consistently remained the main destinations for exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 28.2% of exports, Belgium for 16.2%, and Indonesia for 6.5%, with these three countries together representing 50.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse imports into Western Asia stood at 244.4 K t, indicating a 16.3% increase over 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.2%. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 24.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, China, and India were the principal sources for imports in kind. Brazil accounted for 23.6% of imports, China for 14.8%, and India for 14.7%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 53.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, unmanufactured tobacco and refuse imports into Western Asia amounted to 893.3 M $ US, a modest 8.2% increase compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 981.3 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 16.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 825.4 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 15.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%.

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

An analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Brazil accounted for 22.6% of imports, India for 12.5%, and China for 11.7%, with these three countries together representing 46.7% of total flows, while the remaining 53.3% was distributed among other partners.

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

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