Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes.
China Tobacco Production was 2,256 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 1.8% on 2023. China Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 remained one of the largest tobacco production sectors globally, supported by extensive cultivation areas, advanced farming systems, and strong domestic demand. China recorded tobacco production of 2.677 million tonnes in 2015, which declined to 2.574 million tonnes in 2016 and further reduced to 2.391 million tonnes in 2017.
China Tobacco Production moved from 2,677 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2,256 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−15.7%), an average of −1.9% a year. The series high was 2,677 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 2,128 Thousand Tonnes in 2021.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2021) is 549.4 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −18.3% in 2020.
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2024. It accounts for 37.3% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,256 | −1.8% |
| 2023 | 2,297 | +5% |
| 2022 | 2,188 | +2.8% |
| 2021 Trough | 2,128 | −0.3% |
| 2020 | 2,134 | −18.3% |
| 2019 | 2,612 | +16.5% |
| 2018 | 2,241 | −6.3% |
| 2017 | 2,391 | −7.1% |
| 2016 | 2,574 | −3.8% |
| 2015Peak | 2,677 | — |
Regional context
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. China is highlighted.
Data definition
Tobacco Production — Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Tobacco production includes the annual harvested quantity of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated tobacco plants. It covers major tobacco varieties such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, and other types grown by small-scale farmers and large agricultural producers. The indicator includes tobacco crops produced within national boundaries for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and other processed tobacco products. It accounts for agricultural activities related to cultivation, harvesting, and primary crop output measured in tonnes.
Tobacco production excludes processed tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other finished tobacco goods. It does not include tobacco manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail sales, consumption, imports, or exports of tobacco products. The indicator also excludes synthetic nicotine products, non-tobacco nicotine alternatives, experimental tobacco cultivation, and broader economic measures such as tobacco industry revenue, employment, market value, or trade statistics.
Tobacco Production — Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
Production continued decreasing in 2018, reaching 2.241 million tonnes, before increasing to 2.61161 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, output declined again to 2.134 million tonnes, followed by 2.1276 million tonnes in 2021. Production showed moderate recovery in 2022, reaching 2.1881 million tonnes, and increased further to 2.2967 million tonnes in 2023. In 2024, China recorded tobacco production of 2.2564 million tonnes. The overall trend indicates fluctuations but highlights China’s continued dominance in global tobacco cultivation. Tobacco farming in China is concentrated mainly in provinces such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Henan, where favorable climatic conditions support large-scale cultivation. The country produces major tobacco varieties, especially flue-cured tobacco, which is widely used for cigarette manufacturing. Changes in production levels have been influenced by government policies, tobacco control measures, agricultural adjustments, and efforts to improve production efficiency. Despite global concerns regarding tobacco consumption, China maintains a highly organized tobacco supply chain involving cultivation, processing, and manufacturing. The production pattern between 2015 and 2024 shows a shift toward maintaining stable output while improving leaf quality, resource efficiency, and sustainable farming practices. China’s tobacco sector continues to play a major role in agricultural production and rural economic activities.
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Tobacco production refers to the total quantity of raw, unmanufactured tobacco leaves harvested from tobacco crops within a country or region during a specific year, generally measured in tonnes. It represents the agricultural output generated through the cultivation, growth, and harvesting of tobacco plants for commercial use. This macro indicator tracks changes in tobacco farming activities, production volumes, cultivation practices, harvested area, and yield performance over time, providing insights into the scale and trends of tobacco crop production across different regions.
China Tobacco Production was 2,256 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 1.8% on 2023.
China Tobacco Production moved from 2,677 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2,256 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−15.7%), an average of −1.9% a year. The series high was 2,677 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 2,128 Thousand Tonnes in 2021.
The highest value was 2,677 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 2,128 Thousand Tonnes in 2021.
Included: Tobacco production includes the annual harvested quantity of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated tobacco plants. It covers major tobacco varieties such as flue-cured, burley, oriental, and other types grown by small-scale farmers and large agricultural producers. The indicator includes tobacco crops produced within national boundaries for use in the manufacturing of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and other processed tobacco products. It accounts for agricultural activities related to cultivation, harvesting, and primary crop output measured in tonnes. Excluded: Tobacco production excludes processed tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and other finished tobacco goods. It does not include tobacco manufacturing, packaging, distribution, retail sales, consumption, imports, or exports of tobacco products. The indicator also excludes synthetic nicotine products, non-tobacco nicotine alternatives, experimental tobacco cultivation, and broader economic measures such as tobacco industry revenue, employment, market value, or trade statistics.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&Food=Tobacco&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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