Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
In 2024, an increase in the demand for cigarettes helped tobacco in Egypt to rebound from an overall decline in retail volume sales in 2023. Tobacco in Egypt stabilised in terms of production and supply after a tough period where economic challenges and currency devaluations led to scarcity in foreign currency. This directly affected imports of tobacco raw materials, causing disturbances in the market and shortages in the retail channel. In 2024, no noticeable shortages were witnessed in the market, leading to less stockpiling by retailers, which limited previously witnessed unrealistic price hikes. Against this backdrop, tobacco saw an overall rise in demand in Egypt in 2024, amidst relatively stable prices, stronger market dynamics, developments in distribution and a more dynamic competitive landscape.
2024 key trends
Overall, retail volume sales of tobacco rose in 2024, although there were divergences in performance. Cigarettes, smoking tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco witnessed increased demand, while cigars and cigarillos saw decreases. Meanwhile, high inflationary pressure on prices saw all categories post fast retail current value growth.
Competitive landscape
The main player in cigarettes, Eastern Co, was a strong leader in tobacco in Egypt in retail volume terms in 2024. The company dominated economy cigarettes through its flagship brand Cleopatra. However, the competition in tobacco is intensifying as newer product types make gains. Thus, Al Mansour International Distribution Co, which is present in cigarettes, e-vapour products and heated tobacco, registered the highest retail volume share growth in tobacco in 2024, gaining ground on the leader.
Retail developments
In 2024, small local grocers dominated retail volume sales of cigarettes, while forecourt retailers led cigars and cigarillos and heated tobacco products. Meanwhile, food/drink/tobacco specialists dominated the distribution of e-vapour products.
What next for tobacco?
Over the forecast period, tobacco is expected to see a similar trajectory to 2024. Cigarettes, smoking tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco are predicted to continue to grow retail volume sales, while cigars and cigarillos face ongoing decreases. Even though prices are expected to rise, there is some clarity regarding price growth patterns. This is due to their being linked to lower inflation rates, not as a result of stockpiling due to shortages or economic meltdown as occurred during the review period.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in Egypt 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.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco
- Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco
If you're in the Tobacco industry in Egypt, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Tobacco in Egypt report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Tobacco in Egypt?
- Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in Egypt?
- How are products distributed in Tobacco in Egypt?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in Egypt?
- How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in Egypt?
- How has COVID-19 impacted demand?
- How have national lockdown and enforced home seclusion following COVID-19 impacted sales?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Tobacco in Egypt
Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
What next for tobacco?
Legislation
Legislative overview
Minimum legal smoking age
Smoking prevalence
Tar levels
Health warnings
Plain packaging
Advertising and sponsorship
Point-of-sale display bans
Smoking in public places
Flavoured tobacco product ban
Vapour products
PRODUCTION/IMPORTS/EXPORTS
DISCLAIMER
Cigarettes in Egypt
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Production stabilises as foreign currency supply issues ease
Eastern Co continues to dominate but Philip Morris International increases its influence on the category
The distribution of cigarettes expands beyond offline retail
Forecast of moderate retail volume growth despite expected price rises for cigarettes
Some consumers may shift to lower-priced brands
Philip Morris International to gain a stronger foothold in cigarettes
Taxation rates
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in Egypt
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Different growth trajectories in cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco
Eastern Co dominates cigars and cigarillos while Al Nakhla Tobacco Co heads smoking tobacco
Forecourt retailers leads cigars and cigarillos while hospitality dominates smoking tobacco
Improving economic situation and consistent supply to support cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco
Flavoured varieties and premium products to gain momentum
Pipe tobacco to continue to benefit from the culture of hookah smoking
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco in Egypt
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Heated tobacco and e-vapour products add dynamism to tobacco in Egypt
Philip Morris International invests in heated tobacco
E-vapour products and heated tobacco continue to see widening distribution
Heated tobacco and e-vapour products to continue to develop and grow as categories
E-vapour products to be subject to changes in legislation
Price increases anticipated amidst rising costs and innovation
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Tobacco
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- Fine Cut Cigarettes
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- Cigarettes (Illicit+Legal)
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- Cigars
- Cigarillos
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- Pipe Tobacco
- Fine Cut Tobacco
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- Chewing Tobacco
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- Loose US-Style Moist Snuff
- Portion US-Style Moist Snuff
- Swedish-Style Snus
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- Closed System Single Use
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- Closed System Rechargeable (including starter kits)
- Closed System Cartridges
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- Open Vaping Systems Charging and Vapourising Devices
- E-liquids
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- Tobacco Heating Devices
- Heated Tobacco
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- Nicotine Pouches
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- Closed System Single Use (Illicit+Legal)
- Closed System Cartridges (Illicit+Legal)
- E-Liquids (Illicit+Legal)
Tobacco
Passport Tobacco covers the seven major tobacco categories: Cigarettes, Cigars & Cigarillos, Smoking tobacco (made up of Pipe tobacco and RYO tobacco), Smokeless Tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco), E-Vapour Products (closed and open); Heated Tobacco; and Tobacco Free Oral Nicotine. Smoking paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, lighters or matches, etc., are not included, nor are nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, which are part of Euromonitor's Passport Consumer Healthcare database.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
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- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
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This report originates from Passport, our Tobacco research and analysis database.
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