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.
North America Tobacco Production was 264.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 16.5% on 2023. North America’s tobacco production exhibited a generally declining trend between 2015 and 2024, although annual production levels varied due to changes in cultivation, weather conditions, and agricultural practices across the region.
North America Tobacco Production moved from 452.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 264.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−41.5%), an average of −5.8% a year. The series high was 457.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 264.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2024) is 192.5 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −18.6% in 2018.
Within North America, U.S. has the highest value in 2024 at 147.5 Thousand Tonnes, 55.8% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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By region
Thousand Tonnes, 2024. Each bar is that region's total.
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 | 264.6 | −16.5% |
| 2023 | 316.7 | −1.8% |
| 2022 | 322.5 | −3.9% |
| 2021 | 335.4 | +11.7% |
| 2020 | 300.4 | −11.2% |
| 2019 | 338.3 | −9.1% |
| 2018 | 372 | −18.6% |
| 2017Peak | 457.1 | +12.8% |
| 2016 | 405.2 | −10.4% |
| 2015 | 452.1 | — |
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.
Based on the combined data, total tobacco production amounted to 452.0827 thousand tonnes in 2015, declining to 405.21747 thousand tonnes in 2016 before recovering to 457.09916 thousand tonnes in 2017, the highest production level recorded during the observed period. Production then fell to 371.99788 thousand tonnes in 2018 and continued declining to 338.27378 thousand tonnes in 2019. In 2020, regional output decreased further to 300.3894 thousand tonnes, followed by a moderate recovery to 335.4311 thousand tonnes in 2021. Production declined slightly to 322.48678 thousand tonnes in 2022, 316.7414 thousand tonnes in 2023, and reached 264.59228 thousand tonnes in 2024, the lowest level during the decade. The overall trend reflects a gradual reduction in tobacco cultivation despite temporary improvements in certain years. Tobacco farming across North America includes the production of raw tobacco leaves from commercially cultivated crops intended for use in cigarette manufacturing, cigars, pipe tobacco, and other tobacco products. The indicator measures only harvested raw tobacco leaves and excludes processed tobacco products, manufacturing activities, imports, exports, retail sales, consumption, and tobacco industry revenues. The decline over the period may be associated with changing agricultural priorities, regulatory developments, reduced cultivated area, labor availability, and shifting market demand. Despite the downward trend, North America continues to maintain an established tobacco farming sector supported by modern agricultural practices and commercial-scale cultivation. Overall, the reduction from 452.0827 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 264.59228 thousand tonnes in 2024 highlights a significant contraction in regional tobacco production over the ten-year period.
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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.
North America Tobacco Production was 264.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 16.5% on 2023.
North America Tobacco Production moved from 452.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 264.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−41.5%), an average of −5.8% a year. The series high was 457.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 264.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 457.1 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 264.6 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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