Tobacco in 2024: The big picture
Overall, it was a positive picture for tobacco in Uzbekistan in 2024. In particular, it was a standout year for cigarettes, with volume sales increasing significantly. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, the number of smokers increased due to a sharp decline in labour migration to Russia, resulting in more adult smokers remaining in the country. Secondly, illicit cigarette trade, which had been growing rapidly and accounted for nearly a quarter of total volume sales in 2023, saw a significant decline in 2024. Customs introduced several measures to improve the monitoring of shipments of cigarettes entering the country in 2024, including that certain documents now have to be sent electronically to customs and presented at the border post. These new measures were very successful and resulted in a significant decline in illegal trade.
2024 key trends
In 2024, legal cigarette sales in Uzbekistan saw strong growth, marking 2024 the most dynamic year in a decade. As discussed above, this was largely due to a sharp decline in illicit trade and a temporary rise in the number of smokers, as fewer people migrated for work abroad. However, this growth came despite continued price increases from rising excise taxes. In 2024, the government adjusted excise duties on both domestic and imported cigarettes as part of its commitment to align with international trade standards. These changes aimed to create a more level playing field between local and foreign producers and led to price increases. This step meets one of the key requirements for WTO accession, which is expected to happen in 2026.
Competitive landscape
British American Tobacco Uzbekistan (UZBAT) continued to lead the tobacco, maintaining a dominant position, especially in cigarettes. The company’s strength is built on its wide-ranging portfolio, including well-established brands across all price segments, such as Kent and Pall Mall, which continue to rank as the top two brands by volume in the country. The company also consistently updates its portfolio with new product launches, such as Kent Mix Cool and Pall Mall Alaska Nights in 2024, in the growing flavoured segment.
Retail developments
Small local grocers remained the largest distribution channel for tobacco in Uzbekistan in 2024. The channel is influenced by two opposing trends. On the one hand, its share in cigarette sales has slightly declined due to the gradual expansion of modern grocery retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores. On the other hand, small grocers are increasingly becoming important for newer products like heated tobacco, where distribution is expanding.
What next for tobacco?
Over the forecast period, Uzbekistan’s tobacco will remain relatively stable, showing flat dynamics overall. Legal cigarettes will see a slight increase in volume sales, due to further declines in illicit trade. However, this will be counterbalanced by downward pressure from rising prices, tax increases, and gradual reductions in smoking prevalence. Also, the recent increase in the legal smoking-age to 21, will dampen volume sales to a degree.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Tobacco industry in Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan, 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 Uzbekistan 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 Uzbekistan?
- Which are the leading brands in Tobacco in Uzbekistan?
- How are products distributed in Tobacco in Uzbekistan?
- Which category is the most heavily taxed in Uzbekistan?
- How is the operating environment for Tobacco changing?
- What are the current legislative restrictions applicable to the sale of Tobacco products in Uzbekistan?
- 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 Uzbekistan
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
Low ignition propensity (LIP) cigarette regulation
Flavoured tobacco product ban
Reduced harm
Vapour products
PRODUCTION/IMPORTS/EXPORTS
DISCLAIMER
Cigarettes in Uzbekistan
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Standout year for cigarettes in 2024
British American Tobacco continues to dominate, though loses some volume share
Tobacco specialists gain most volume share
Much more muted volume growth over forecast period
Economy brands lose out
Main focus of innovation is flavour
Taxation rates
Average cigarette pack price breakdown
Cigars, Cigarillos and Smoking Tobacco in Uzbekistan
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Hookah smoking continues to support volume sales of pipe tobacco
Russian-based brands continue to lead in pipe tobacco
Tobacco specialists register highest volume growth
Pipe tobacco continues to drive growth
Limited appeal for fine cut tobacco
Continuing flavour innovation in pipe tobacco
Smokeless Tobacco, E-Vapour Products and Heated Tobacco in Uzbekistan
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Dark clouds on horizon for e-vapour products
Philip Morris dominates in heated tobacco
Evolving retail landscape for heated tobacco
Heated tobacco benefits from ban on e-vapour products
Philip Morris continues to dominate in heated tobacco
Continuing innovation in heated tobacco in terms of flavours and technologies
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.
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This report originates from Passport, our Tobacco research and analysis database.
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