Tobacco leaf exports from Zambia: data, top buyers and prices
Zambia exported $340.6 million of tobacco leaf in 2024 (59.8 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Value rose 14% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 13% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $340.6M | 59.8K t |
| 2023 | $297.9M | 57.4K t |
| 2022 | $173.7M | 39.9K t |
| 2021 | $168.0M | 38.9K t |
| 2020 | $165.7M | 37.6K t |
| 2019 | $100.6M | 29.6K t |
| 2018 | $172.0M | 40.3K t |
| 2017 | $144.4M | 29.4K t |
Where Zambia exports tobacco leaf to
Most of it went to China (28%), South Africa (18%), Switzerland (17%). Among the main buyer markets, Switzerland grew fastest (+454% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $96.1M | 28% |
| South Africa | $60.0M | 18% |
| Switzerland | $58.2M | 17% |
| Malawi | $40.2M | 12% |
| Zimbabwe | $15.4M | 4.5% |
| Germany | $9.6M | 2.8% |
| Poland | $7.9M | 2.3% |
| Indonesia | $7.0M | 2.1% |
| Belgium | $6.1M | 1.8% |
| Japan | $5.8M | 1.7% |
Product types under HS 2401
| 2401.20 | Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped | 90% |
| 2401.10 | Tobacco, (not stemmed or stripped) | 8.1% |
| 2401.30 | Tobacco waste | 1.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2401.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.69 per kg, close to the world average of $5.95.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Tobacco leaf imports to Zambia
Imports of tobacco leaf by Zambia reached $418 thousand in 2024 (55 tonnes). South Africa alone supplied 56% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $232K | 56% |
| Croatia | $102K | 25% |
| Zimbabwe | $83K | 20% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zambia?
The shipment records behind Zambia tobacco leaf exports (HS 2401): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2401: Tobacco, unmanufactured; tobacco refuse.
Common questions
What is the value of tobacco leaf exported by Zambia?
Zambia exported tobacco leaf worth $340.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 59.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 13th of 135 countries worldwide, with 2% of world exports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries buy tobacco leaf from Zambia?
China was the largest buyer with 28% of the value ($96.1 million), followed by South Africa (18%) and Switzerland (17%). The top three together account for 63%, out of 43 buyer countries in total. Switzerland grew fastest among the top ten, up 454% on the year.
What is the average export price of tobacco leaf per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.69 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $5.95 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of tobacco leaf from Zambia changed since 2017?
Exports went from $144.4 million in 2017 to $340.6 million in 2024, an increase of 136%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $195.4 million a year.
Does Zambia also import tobacco leaf?
Yes. Zambia imported $418 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from South Africa, Croatia and Zimbabwe. On balance Zambia is a net exporter of this product, by about $340.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for tobacco leaf?
The HS code for tobacco leaf is heading 2401. In Zambia the largest six-digit codes were 2401.20 (90% of the value) and 2401.10 (8%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds Zambia trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
Tobacco leaf product types in Zambia
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