Tobacco

In line with the economic crisis, cigarette consumption showed a third consecutive year of moderate retail growth, driven by the trade down from premium to mainstream brands and from mid-term price brands to economy options. As illicit trade saw a…

Probably the biggest development in the Chilean tobacco industry in 2022 was the explosive increase in sales of illicit products. According to a study carried out by British American Tobacco (BAT) and the MIDE Centre from the Catholic University of…

Like cigars, cigarillos is a niche category in Chile. These are considered speciality products, available only to a small segment of the population, despite the high smoking prevalence in Chile. As such, until 2021, sales of cigarillos were below a…

E-vapour products have become extremely popular in Chile, finding a solid consumer base amongst people in their 20s and 30s. Small specialist stores and informal online sellers have taken advantage of this trend, promoting an important increase in…

In a year marked by 30-year-high inflation rates, the tobacco industry showed resilience in 2022, as most categories managed to see growth, despite a slowdown of the Chilean economy and a strong increase in contraband, which continued to hit…

In 2022, cigarettes in Brazil observed a sustained shift in consumer preference, as economy cigarettes gained share from mid-priced cigarettes. This change can be attributed to growing price sensitivity amongst consumers, and their perception of…

The year 2020 saw a poor performance for cigars, marked by a rapid and significant increase in the dollar exchange rate. In addition, the limited opportunities for socialising due to the pandemic resulted in fewer occasions for smoking cigars.…

In 2022, cigarettes remained the primary tobacco category in Brazil. The volume growth of cigarettes in 2022, although slower than in 2019, was indicative of the dynamics surrounding illicit trade rather than an increasing preference for tobacco…

In 2023, cigarette sales in Argentina experienced a notable retraction, primarily driven by the country’s ongoing economic crisis, which significantly impacted consumer purchasing power. The weakening economy led to a moderate decline in cigarette…

In 2023, sales of cigarettes in Colombia returned to a declining trend following a slight increase in the year prior. The downward trend is not only caused by lower smoking prevalence, but the shift towards alternatives like e-vapour products.…

In 2023, the consumption of cigars and cigarillos in Argentina experienced a slight decline in volume terms. This decline was primarily due to the import restrictions imposed by the former Alberto Fernandez government, which included a partial…

The consumption of cigars and cigarillos in Bolivia remained niche in 2023, with these products having limited distribution. They are mainly available in small tobacco speciality stores, which in recent years have also started offering e-vapours, or…

Volume sales of cigars have been growing at steady rates in Colombia since the COVID-pandemic, with further double-digit volume growth witnessed in 2023. Smoking cigars is not a cultural tradition in Colombia, with most cigars imported from Cuba and…

In 2023, e-vapour products in Bolivia experienced considerable growth and formalisation in the distribution channels for e-vapour products. The availability of these products surged in both modern and traditional retail outlets. Initially, e-vapour…

Over the review period, smokeless tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco grew at high velocity, with value sales over 20 times higher in 2023 compared to the start of the review period. Outstanding sales of e-vapour products, namely closed…

The Argentine economy faced significant challenges in 2023, entering a recession with a GDP contraction and a notable decline in December compared to December 2022. Inflation surged, severely impacting the tobacco industry. Although official…

In 2023, tobacco in Bolivia recorded one of its most challenging periods in recent times, primarily due to a notable growth in the availability of illegal cigarette brands. Until a few years ago, Bolivia was primarily a transit country for the…

Tobacco in Colombia witnessed stagnant volume growth in 2023 amid inflationary pressures and falling demand for cigarettes. Smoking prevalence continued to decline with consumers increasing awareness about the harmful effects of combustion tobacco…

In 2023, cigarettes in Bolivia witnessed a notable surge in the presence of smuggled brands. These products, previously predominant in provinces and rural areas, made significant inroads into urban markets, particularly in kiosks, popular markets,…

Cigarettes saw volume sales fall significantly in Ecuador in 2023. The illicit market continued to deepen its penetration within the Ecuadorian market during the year. The high tax levied on the legal industry has caused a substantial price gap…