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.
South Africa Tobacco Production was 11.23 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 18% on 2023. South Africa Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 experienced a gradual decline during the decade, reflecting changing agricultural priorities, reduced cultivation areas, market challenges, and evolving tobacco consumption patterns. South Africa recorded tobacco production of 14.38 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a slight increase to 14.7 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 14.8 thousand tonnes in 2017.
South Africa Tobacco Production moved from 14.38 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 11.23 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−21.9%), an average of −2.7% a year. The series high was 15.60 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 9.51 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2023) is 6.09 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −23.8% in 2021.
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 21 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.2% 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 | 11.23 | +18% |
| 2023 Trough | 9.51 | −4.9% |
| 2022 | 10.00 | −13% |
| 2021 | 11.50 | −23.8% |
| 2020 | 15.10 | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 15.00 | −3.8% |
| 2018Peak | 15.60 | +5.4% |
| 2017 | 14.80 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 14.70 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 14.38 | — |
Regional context
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. South Africa 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 reached 15.6 thousand tonnes in 2018, representing the highest output during the observed period. In 2019, production declined to 15 thousand tonnes, followed by 15.1 thousand tonnes in 2020. However, production decreased significantly in 2021, reaching 11.5 thousand tonnes, and continued declining to 10 thousand tonnes in 2022. In 2023, South Africa recorded tobacco production of 9.51384 thousand tonnes, while output slightly recovered to 11.23096 thousand tonnes in 2024. The overall trend indicates a reduction in tobacco cultivation levels after 2020, despite a small recovery in the final year. Tobacco farming in South Africa has historically contributed to rural employment and agricultural activities, particularly in regions suitable for tobacco cultivation. The country produces different tobacco varieties used for domestic processing and manufacturing purposes. However, the sector has faced challenges including declining smoking rates, stricter tobacco regulations, rising production costs, climate-related risks, and competition from alternative agricultural products. Farmers have increasingly focused on improving efficiency, adopting sustainable practices, and enhancing crop quality to remain competitive. The decline in production reflects broader global trends affecting tobacco agriculture, where many countries have experienced reduced cultivation due to changing consumer behavior and policy measures. Despite these challenges, South Africa continues to maintain a structured tobacco industry supported by farming, processing, and distribution networks. The 2015–2024 production data demonstrates the gradual transformation of the country’s tobacco sector toward a smaller and more specialized agricultural activity.
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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.
South Africa Tobacco Production was 11.23 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 18% on 2023.
South Africa Tobacco Production moved from 14.38 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 11.23 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−21.9%), an average of −2.7% a year. The series high was 15.60 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the low 9.51 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 15.60 Thousand Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 9.51 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
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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