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Tobacco Exports from India: Leading the Global Market

Tobacco export from India

Key Points:

  • The top tobacco-importing countries include Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and France.
  • Based on tobacco export data from India, India's tobacco exports reached an all-time high of ?12,005.89 crore, or approximately $1.45 billion.
  • The list of top tobacco exporters in India includes Godfrey Phillips India Limited, Imex Enterprises, K.S. Subbiah Pillai & Co. (India). Pvt. Ltd., Polisetty Somasundaram and VST Industries Limited.
  • The major tobacco HS Codes include 24011060, 24011050, 24011070 and 240220.

In the Solanaceae family, tobacco is the common name for several plants in the genus Nicotiana and the general term for any product made from their cured leaves. India's position as a major player in the global tobacco market has been cemented by its remarkable export growth and increased exports of unmanufactured tobacco. In terms of tobacco production, India comes in third place worldwide. However, growing cigarette consumption has played a major role in the tobacco market's notable expansion in India.

In this blog, we will explore insights on tobacco export from India, along with a list of tobacco exporters and importers, HSN Codes, and much more.

Why is Tobacco Harmful?

The thousands of chemicals found in tobacco, many of which are known to cause lung, heart, and cancer diseases, make it dangerous to use.

The addictive ingredient in tobacco, nicotine, can harm blood vessels and raise the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Furthermore, harmful gases like carbon monoxide found in tobacco smoke lower the blood's ability to carry oxygen.

Production of Tobacco in India:

After China, India is the world's second-largest tobacco producer. It accounts for 9% of the world's total tobacco production. The average tobacco crop production in the country over the past five years has been about 800 million kg.

Cheroot, Burley, Oriental, Chewing, Country, Cigar-rapped, Bidi, Rustica, and Flue-cured Virginia tobacco are among the many tobacco products produced in the country.

India's top tobacco-producing states are West Bengal, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Bihar.

Can India Export Tobacco Products?

According to Section 32 of the COTPA 2003, all tobacco products exported from India must have health warnings and markings on them in accordance with the laws of the importing nation. It is essential to make sure that the products meet the intended market's legal and health requirements.

Before exporting tobacco from India, every trader must make sure they have all the necessary paperwork.

Despite its difficulties, the tobacco industry makes a substantial economic contribution to India. India's ability to produce high-quality tobacco, along with government assistance and a sophisticated infrastructure, has solidified its position as a major player in the global tobacco market.

Which Tobacco Products Do Indians Use?

India is a significant producer and consumer. Some of the most prevalent types are as follows:

  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars, Cigarillos, and little cigars
  • Bidis
  • Hookah
  • Snus
  • E-cigarettes
  • Disposable vapes
  • Nicotine pouches
  • Tombol

Please be advised that smoking is bad for your health. Please seek assistance from a support group or a medical professional if you or someone you know is addicted to tobacco.

Tobacco Export from India: Latest Statistics

In the fiscal year 2023–2024, India's tobacco exports reached an all-time high of ?12,005.89 crore, or approximately $1.45 billion, an 87% increase over the preceding five years. Export volumes also increased significantly, rising from 218.84 million kg in 2019–20 to 315.51 million kg in 2023–24.

After Brazil, India is the world's second-largest tobacco exporter. Apart from unmanufactured tobacco, it also exports tobacco that has been flue-cured, sun-cured, extracted and essenced, smoking tobacco, homogenized tobacco, cigar cheroots, stripped tobacco, fully stemmed tobacco, and FCV tobacco.

Export of Tobacco from India

FCV Tobacco Exports

Unmanufactured Tobacco export from India Statistics

Tobacco Export Data from India

2021-2022

27,742 tons (US$ 359 million)

-

US$ 923.80 million

2022-2023 (till August)

68,550 tons (US$ 515 million)

65,682 tons

US$ 923.80 million


According to tobacco export data from India, India exported FCV tobacco in the amount of 68,550 metric tons. A total of 15,224 tons, worth US$56.21 million, were exported in August 2022.

This represents a 192.2% rise from the same time last year. The total value of FCV's tobacco exports in 2021–2022 was Rs. 2,858 crore, or US$ 359 million. In the same year, 27,742 tons were exported by the country.

According to data on India's exports of unmanufactured tobacco, 65,682 tons of unmanufactured tobacco were shipped in 2022–2023 (through August). In April and May of 2022, unmanufactured tobacco exports increased by 51% and 14%, respectively, compared to the same period the previous year.

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During that period, exports totalled Rs. 4,102 crore, or USD 515 million. India exported tobacco and tobacco products valued at US$923.80 million between 2021 and 2022.

List of Top Tobacco HS Codes

The following are the tobacco and tobacco product Harmonized System (HS) codes:

List of Tobacco HS Codes

Production Description

24011060

Tobacco for making chewing tobacco 

24011050

Tobacco for making bidis, not stemmed

24011070

Tobacco for making cigars and cheroots 

240220

Cigarettes containing tobacco 


Thus, these are the top tobacco HS codes in the Indian tobacco export market. The HS codes' Chapter 24 addresses tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes. To find out more about the tobacco HS code list, contact ExportImportData.in for tobacco export data.

Cigarette  Exports from India: Latest Insights

Cigarette   Export Data

Details

Total Shipments

19,691 shipments

Cigarette  Exporters in India

766

Number of Indian Buyers

2,525

India’s cigarette export destinations

Brazil, India, and the US


Based on cigarette export data, India exported 19,691 tobacco shipments from March 2023 to February 2024 (TTM). With 766 Indian exporters shipping goods to 2,525 buyers, exports increased by 27% over the previous 12 months.

In February 2024 alone, 1,565 tobacco export shipments from India were made during this period. This represents a 17% year-over-year increase from February 2023 and an 11% sequential growth from January 2024. Additionally, the majority of India's tobacco exports go to the United States, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates.

The United States, India, and Brazil are the top three tobacco exporters worldwide. India is the world's largest tobacco exporter, with 113,430 shipments, followed by Brazil (53,451) and the US (40,130 shipments).

List of Major Tobacco Exporting Countries

Here is the list of top tobacco-exporting countries:

S.no.

Top Tobacco Exporting Countries

Tobacco Export Data Export Value

1

China

$9.17 billion

2

Poland 

$5.71 billion

3

Germany

$3.39 billion

4

Brazil

$2.72 billion

5

Italy

$2.46 billion

6

Belgium

$2.12 billion

7

Romania

$1.81 billion

8

Indonesia

$1.74 billion

9

USA

$1.42 billion

10

India

$1.34 billion


The dynamic global tobacco export market is dominated by major players such as China and Poland, according to data on tobacco exports. However, the inclusion of nations like Brazil and Germany demonstrates the diversity of tobacco product exporters.

Additionally, if you are looking for information on tobacco-importing nations, India's international tobacco suppliers, or the top nations for tobacco export from India, contact ExportImportData immediately.

List of Prominent Tobacco Exporters in India

The following is a list of India's top tobacco exporters:

  • Maddi Lakshmaiah & Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  • M L Agro Products Pvt. Ltd.
  • Nimex Trading Corporation
  • Premier Tobacco Packers Pvt. Ltd.
  • Bommidala Purnaiah
  • Godfrey Phillips India Limited
  • Imex Enterprises
  • K.S. Subbiah Pillai & Co. (India). Pvt. Ltd.
  • Polisetty Somasundaram
  • Vst Industries Limited

When it comes to expanding tobacco export from India, Indian tobacco exporters are essential. The top 10 tobacco exporters from India are as follows. Tobacco export from India to other countries are greatly aided by numerous other exporters. To obtain a complete list of all the legitimate and active tobacco exporters in India and abroad, you can also look through our tobacco export data.

Global Presence and Key Markets

After Brazil, India is the second-largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco in terms of quantity. With Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, the United States, and the Philippines as its top markets, the nation exports tobacco to more than 115 nations.

Crop planning, production regulation, and the implementation of an IT-enabled electronic auction system are just a few of the strategic measures that the Tobacco Board of India has put in place to support the tobacco industry. The average farmer's income increased from ?124 per kg in 2019–20 to ?279.54 per kg in 2023–24 as a result of these initiatives.

How Can I Locate Tobacco Buyers Around the World?

A premium option for locating tobacco buyers worldwide is ExportImportData.in Tobacco exporters can rapidly acquire the list of active tobacco buyers in each country, along with their contact details, past shipment values, and tobacco HS codes, by simply examining updated tobacco export data from India. Our platform, a top supplier of import export data, provides export-import information for more than 130 nations.

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Numerous tobacco export companies in India and around the world benefit from the data on tobacco exports on our educational dashboard.

Final Words!

So, Tobacco exports contribute substantially to India's foreign exchange earnings and provide livelihoods for millions involved in farming, processing, and export activities. India is in a strong position to keep and grow its market dominance in the tobacco industry worldwide with sustained government assistance and an emphasis on sustainable practices.

However, if you need any kind of assistance regarding tobacco export from India or tobacco HS code, connect with ExportImportData solutions and schedule a free live demo today.

 

Tobacco HS code

Tobacco HS code: 24011060

Tobacco HS code: 24011050

Tobacco Export from India

Tobacco export from India to United Arab Emirates

Tobacco export from India to Belgium

Tobacco export from India to Indonesia

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Why Find Export & Import Data

Export Import Data solutions is one of the best online import export websites in India that provides trade data services and trading business information. Currently, Export import data is the best import export data provider and market research companies in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is tobacco allowed to export from India?

    Indeed, tobacco and tobacco products are exported from India. After Brazil, India is the world's second-largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco.

  • Which country imports tobacco from India?

    As per tobacco importer data, Belgium is the biggest tobacco importer, with around 17% of the total tobacco exports from India.

  • Who is the largest exporter of tobacco?

    As per tobacco exporter data, the largest exporter of tobacco is China, with an export value of $9.17 billion.

  • Who is the largest producer of tobacco in India?

    West Bengal, Telangana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Bihar are the states that produce the most tobacco in India.

  • How big is the Indian tobacco market?

    The Indian tobacco market was estimated to be worth USD 12.73 billion in 2023, indicating consistent growth despite obstacles like stricter regulations and growing health consciousness.

  • Who is the biggest importer of tobacco from India?

    The largest importer of tobacco from India is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which accounted for 21.30% of India's total tobacco exports in FY25 (until February 2025).

  • What is the HSN code for tobacco?

    The top tobacco HSN Codes are 24011060, 24011050, 24011070 and 240220.

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