Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
El Salvador is one of the countries with the lowest inflationary pressures worldwide. In 2024, according to figures from the Central Reserve Bank (BCR), this indicator closed at 0.3%.
2024 key trends
The prevalence of tobacco use in El Salvador continues to decline steadily. Younger generations are less interested in using these products, as they are more informed about the health risks associated with tobacco use.
Competitive landscape
The tobacco category in El Salvador is widely led by global company Philip Morris International Inc, the owner of the Marlboro, Diplomat and L&M cigarette brands. Marlboro has managed to build a solid position in cigarettes in El Salvador, eventually positioning itself as an aspirational brand. In recent years, its strategy has shown diversification with a differentiated offering for smokers who appreciate more intense tobacco experiences. It has focused on promoting its Selección Artesanal line, highlighting the use of a blend of high-quality tobaccos and artisanal craftsmanship, giving it additional added value. At the same time, this brand is also actively promoting flavoured capsule options, such as Marlboro Sunset Mix, seeking to connect with young smokers who prefer to smoke products with more subtle or fruity flavours.
Retail developments
The main distribution channel for cigarettes in El Salvador is supermarket chains. This channel established itself several years ago as the preferred option for consumers due to the convenience of finding a wide variety of products in one place, the convenience of having ample parking spaces, and also because it provided buyers with a sense of security given the high crime rates the country experienced until recently.
What next for tobacco?
The prevalence of tobacco product use, such as cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos, is projected to continue steadily declining in El Salvador over the forecast period. Younger generations over the legal smoking age are increasingly showing no interest in starting to use these products and are tending to adopt more preventive health care behaviours.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in El Salvador 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 El Salvador, 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 El Salvador 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 El Salvador?
- Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in El Salvador?
- How are products distributed in Tobacco in El Salvador?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in El Salvador?
- How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in El Salvador?
- 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 El Salvador
Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
2024 key trends
Competitive landscape
Retail developments
What next for tobacco?
Legislation
TAXATION AND DUTY LEVIES
DISCLAIMER
Key Data Findings
2024 Developments
Positive volume sales growth of cigarettes as a result of more effective controls on illicit trade
Philip Morris International Inc consolidates its leadership by refreshing Marbolro's position among young generations of adult smokers
Higher levels of citizen security stimulate the resurgence of small local grocers
Prospects and Opportunities
Cigarette category projects a sustained decline in consumption as new generations of adults adopt more preventive health patterns
The range of cigarettes with flavoured capsules is democratised
Slow development of cigarette innovations in El Salvador amid a strict regulatory environment
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2024 Developments
Complex economic environment and a lack of connection between the product and Salvadoreans reduce demand for cigars, cigarillos, and smoking tobacco
Non-existent commercial strategies, limiting the best performance to those brands with more regular supply
The availability of cigars, cigarrillos, and smoking tobacco in El Salvador remains underdeveloped in specialised stores
Prospects and Opportunities
New generations show greater reluctance to consume tobacco products as they are more concerned about their health
Flavoured options in cigars and smoking tobacco increase in supply, seeking to refresh their positioning among younger adult smokers
The prospects for positioning innovations remain niche
Category Data
Key Data Findings
2024 Developments
Demand grows for e-vapour products, driven by more affordable disposable options and their appeal to young adult Salvadorans
E-vapour products and heated tobacco in El Salvador are in the initial stage of brand building
The entry of major global e-vapour and heated tobacco brands drives the expansion of distribution in supermarket chains and retail e-commerce platforms
Prospects and Opportunities
More affordable prices and a wide range of innovative flavors in e-vapour products attract an increasing number of smokers, while heated tobacco is forecast to remain niche
Growing pressure in El Salvador for possible legislation on e-vapour products
E-vapour products innovate with functional repositioning and wellbeing claims
Category Data
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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This report originates from Passport, our Tobacco research and analysis database.
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