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.
Japan Tobacco Production was 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 4.4% on 2023. Japan Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 experienced a continuous decline, reflecting significant structural changes in the country’s tobacco farming sector, reduced domestic consumption, declining cultivation areas, and changing agricultural priorities. Japan recorded tobacco production of 18.7 thousand tonnes in 2015, which decreased to 17.9 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Japan Tobacco Production moved from 18.70 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−55.4%), an average of −8.6% a year. The series high was 19.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2024) is 10.66 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −38.3% in 2022.
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, Japan ranks 23 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.1% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Trough | 8.34 | −4.4% |
| 2023 | 8.72 | −0.7% |
| 2022 | 8.78 | −38.3% |
| 2021 | 14.24 | +3.6% |
| 2020 | 13.75 | −18.2% |
| 2019 | 16.80 | −1.2% |
| 2018 | 17.00 | −10.5% |
| 2017Peak | 19.00 | +6.1% |
| 2016 | 17.90 | −4.3% |
| 2015 | 18.70 | — |
Regional context
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Japan 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 increased slightly in 2017, reaching 19 thousand tonnes, representing the highest production level during the observed period. However, output declined afterward, reaching 16.998 thousand tonnes in 2018 and 16.798 thousand tonnes in 2019. In 2020, Japan’s tobacco production decreased further to 13.748 thousand tonnes, followed by a small recovery to 14.237 thousand tonnes in 2021. The decline continued in subsequent years, with production falling to 8.782 thousand tonnes in 2022, 8.722 thousand tonnes in 2023, and 8.336 thousand tonnes in 2024. Major tobacco-growing regions have historically contributed to supplying domestic processing industries with specialized tobacco varieties. However, declining smoking rates, increased public health awareness, stricter tobacco regulations, and changing consumer preferences have reduced demand for domestically cultivated tobacco. In addition, higher production costs, an aging farming population, and limited profitability have encouraged many agricultural producers to shift toward alternative crops. Despite the decline in raw tobacco production, Japan continues to maintain a strong presence in the global tobacco industry through tobacco processing, manufacturing, research, and product innovation. The country’s tobacco sector has increasingly focused on efficiency, quality improvement, and technological advancement rather than increasing agricultural output. The production trend from 2015 to 2024 highlights Japan’s transition from a traditional tobacco cultivation model toward a smaller and more specialized industry. While domestic tobacco farming has contracted significantly, Japan continues to play an important role in the international tobacco value chain through advanced manufacturing capabilities, established industry infrastructure, and continued adaptation to changing market conditions.
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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.
Japan Tobacco Production was 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 4.4% on 2023.
Japan Tobacco Production moved from 18.70 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−55.4%), an average of −8.6% a year. The series high was 19.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 19.00 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 8.34 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
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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