For many guys who enjoy lighting up a good cigar after a long day or during a weekend with friends, the world of premium smokes has always felt steady—reliable suppliers, favorite brands, and that satisfying ritual. But looking at the bigger picture, the overall market for cigars, cheroots, and cigarillos tells a different story. After years of ups and downs, things are starting to point toward modest growth again, though it's slow and steady rather than explosive.
Back in 2013, the global market hit its highest point, with consumption reaching around 266 million tons. Production was at similar levels. Since then, both have pulled back quite a bit. By 2024, worldwide consumption dropped to about 228 million tons, down 1.7 percent from the year before. Production mirrored that, also landing at 228 million tons with the same small decline. In terms of money, the market value for producers and importers sat at roughly $15,962.8 billion in consumption revenue and $15,980.7 billion in production terms that year.
One country stands out in all this data: Russia. It accounts for pretty much all of the global volume—around 227 million tons in both consumption and production for 2024. That's nearly 100 percent of the total. Over the years from 2013 to 2024, Russia's volume has shrunk at an average rate of about 1.4 percent per year, and the value has dropped around 2 percent annually. Per person in Russia, consumption has followed that same downward trend.
Despite the overall dip in recent years, experts see a turnaround coming. Demand around the world for these products is picking up enough to push the market into positive territory over the next decade. Forecasts show a small but consistent annual growth rate of about 0.2 percent in both volume and value from 2024 through 2035. If that holds, the market could hit 234 million tons by the end of 2035. In dollar terms—at wholesale prices before retail markups—the value might climb to $16,404.1 billion.
While the massive volumes are concentrated in one place, the international trade side paints a more familiar picture for cigar enthusiasts. Imports have been growing strongly over the years. In 2024, global imports rose 6.3 percent to 96,000 tons, breaking a couple years of declines. The peak was back in 2021 at 101,000 tons, but things are heading up again. Value-wise, imports reached $3.5 billion, showing solid expansion with some fluctuations along the way.
The United States leads the pack as the top importer by a wide margin. It brought in about 64,000 tons in 2024, which was roughly 66 percent of all global imports. That's up from lower shares earlier, with U.S. imports growing at an average of 9.6 percent per year since 2013. In dollar terms, America accounted for $1.5 billion, or 41 percent of the worldwide import value. Italy came in second with 8,200 tons (8.5 percent share) and $248 million. Other notable importers include the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Japan, and Spain, together making up smaller slices.
On the export side, things grew too. Worldwide exports increased 3 percent to 74,000 tons in 2024, with value hitting $3.4 billion. The Dominican Republic is the clear leader here, shipping out 46,000 tons—about 62 percent of the total. Its exports have grown steadily at around 6.7 percent annually. Nicaragua follows with 8,600 tons (12 percent), then countries like Germany, Belgium, Honduras, Spain, Hungary, and Indonesia filling out the rest.
Prices in this trade vary a lot depending on where things come from and go. The average import price in 2024 was around $36,792 per ton, down 4.6 percent from the prior year. Some destinations pay more—for instance, Spain's average was over $96,000 per ton, while the Netherlands was lower at about $20,653. On exports, the global average was $45,759 per ton, slightly down. Belgium stood out with high prices at nearly $139,000 per ton, compared to Indonesia's much lower $20,246.
These differences highlight how the market splits between premium hand-rolled cigars and more affordable options. Guys who appreciate a fine Dominican or Nicaraguan smoke know the quality comes at a cost, and that's reflected in where the higher-value trade flows.
Looking back, the market has seen its share of changes. Growth was stronger in some years, like 2018 when volumes jumped 4.7 percent, or 2017 when production values spiked. But overall, it's been a period of adjustment after that 2013 high. Now, with demand edging up, the next ten years could bring some stability and gentle expansion.
For anyone who's been enjoying cigars for years—whether it's pairing one with a bourbon on the porch or sharing stories over a smoke with buddies—these trends suggest the hobby isn't going anywhere. Supply chains from places like the Dominican Republic keep flowing strong to meet import needs in the U.S. and Europe. Even with the slow pace, the forecast points to a market that's holding its ground and inching forward.
Source: https://www.indexbox.io/blog/cigars-and-cigarillos-world-market-overview-2024-5/
