How much tobacco does China produce and export?
China is the largest producer of tobacco: 2.3 million tonnes in 2024, 37% of the world's 6 million tonnes (FAOSTAT). It is the nullth largest exporter by value: $580.3 million in 2024, 4.1% of world exports of unmanufactured tobacco (HS 2401) (CEPII BACI).
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China's tobacco production
| World rank | Production (tonnes) | Share of world | Ten-year growth | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2.3 million tonnes | 37% | -2.8% a year | 2024 |
FAOSTAT Crops and livestock products (QCL), 2024. World total is the sum of reporting countries.
Share of world output over time
| 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37% | 38% | 43% | 37% | 37% |
China's tobacco exports
| World rank | Export value | Share of world exports | Quantity (tonnes) | Average value per tonne | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $580.3 million | 4.1% | 201,214 t | $2,884 | 2024 |
CEPII BACI international trade database (HS22, V202601), HS 2401 (Unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse).
China as a buyer of tobacco
China imported $1.8 billion of unmanufactured tobacco (HS 2401) in 2024, 13% of world imports, ranked #2. Of its $1.8 billion of tobacco imports in 2024, 37% came from Zimbabwe and 33% from Brazil, among 20 suppliers. Largest sources: Zimbabwe (37%), Brazil (33%), United States (14%), Zambia (5.4%), Argentina (4.4%).
The tobacco price China sells into
The benchmark price, US import unit value, unmanufactured, was $6,775/t in July 2026, down 4% over twelve months. Its five-year volatility is 6% a year, calmer in 58% of its earlier five-year windows. A single country's export price can differ from the benchmark: see trade price against benchmark. Monthly averages lag the market and are not investment advice. Tobacco price history.
Cite as: Commodity Origins, "China tobacco: production, exports and prices", https://commodityorigins.com/countries/CHN/tobacco/ (CC BY 4.0). Rankings count only countries reporting to the sources named; this page is shown only for top-five producers or exporters with at least 3% of the world total. Report an issue with this page.