Cigars is something of a minor tobacco category in Azerbaijan, with relatively high unit prices and the absence of a strong tradition of cigar smoking in the country limiting the appeal of these products. Moreover, even consumers who do enjoy cigars tend to smoke them infrequently rather than on a regular basis, mainly while socialising or on celebratory occasions.
The performance of cigarillos in 2021 mirrored that of cigars, with retail volume sales rebounding from a steep contraction the previous year as epidemiological and economic conditions in Azerbaijan improved in line with the progression of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme. Cigarillos expanded at a faster pace, however, and remained by far the larger of the two categories in volume and value terms.
Smoking tobacco also saw volume sales return to positive territory in 2021 after a dramatic decline in 2020. Recovery was driven by pipe tobacco, the dominant category, where demand for shisha products picked up as Azerbaijanis began socialising more frequently following the rollout of vaccines and the easing of public health restrictions.
Cigarillos looks set to be the most dynamic of the main categories within cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco in retail volume growth terms over the forecast period. These products should continue to gain popularity as an alternative to cigarettes among smokers seeking to reduce the financial cost of their habit, though their competitiveness in this regard is likely to be eroded by further hikes in excise duty.
Pipe tobacco is expected to post robust growth in retail volume terms throughout the forecast period. The category will continue to benefit from the increasing popularity of shisha smoking as a social activity, primarily among young adults.
The outlook for cigars over the forecast period is also reasonably favourable, with retail volume sales projected to increase consistently from 2022. Given that many consumers only smoke cigars when socialising or on celebratory occasions, in the short term demand should be bolstered as more Azerbaijanis start regularly spending time with friends and family outside the home again in line with the further easing of the pandemic.
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax is certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco industry in Azerbaijan with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
If you're in the Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco industry in Azerbaijan, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco
This report originates from Passport, our Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco research and analysis database.
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!