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 America Tobacco Production was 747.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 7.4% on 2023. South America's tobacco production remained substantial between 2015 and 2024, with Brazil continuing as the dominant regional producer alongside Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and several smaller tobacco-growing countries. Regional tobacco production reached 1,017.12625 thousand tonnes in 2015, representing the highest output during the observed period.
South America Tobacco Production moved from 1,017 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 747.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−26.5%), an average of −3.4% a year. The series high was 1,023 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 747.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2024) is 275.5 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +26.3% in 2017.
Within South America, Brazil has the highest value in 2024 at 637.7 Thousand Tonnes, 85.3% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Thousand Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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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 | 747.6 | −7.4% |
| 2023 | 807.4 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 787.3 | −10.4% |
| 2021 | 878.5 | +4% |
| 2020 | 844.7 | −7.7% |
| 2019 | 914.7 | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 898.1 | −12.2% |
| 2017Peak | 1,023 | +26.3% |
| 2016 | 810.3 | −20.3% |
| 2015 | 1,017 | — |
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 declined to 810.2941 thousand tonnes in 2016 before recovering significantly to 1,023.0982 thousand tonnes in 2017, which marked the regional peak for the decade. Output decreased to 898.1097 thousand tonnes in 2018 and remained relatively stable at 914.7006 thousand tonnes in 2019. Regional production declined further to 844.7028 thousand tonnes in 2020, followed by 878.4869 thousand tonnes in 2021. The downward trend continued with 787.2651 thousand tonnes in 2022, 807.4441 thousand tonnes in 2023, and 747.6077 thousand tonnes in 2024, the lowest production level after 2017. The overall trend reflects gradual contraction in regional tobacco cultivation despite periodic recoveries, influenced by weather conditions, cultivated area, production costs, agricultural diversification, environmental factors, and changing domestic and international market demand. Brazil remained the primary contributor throughout the decade, accounting for the majority of regional output, while Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and other producers supplied smaller but important shares of total production. Tobacco cultivation continues to support rural employment, agricultural exports, and farmer incomes in several South American countries. This indicator measures only harvested raw tobacco leaves and excludes processed tobacco products, cigarette manufacturing, trade, consumption, and tobacco industry revenues. Although production declined over time, South America continued to play a significant role in global tobacco agriculture through established farming systems, export-oriented production, and experienced growers. The decrease from 1,017.12625 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 747.6077 thousand tonnes in 2024 highlights the region's changing cultivation patterns, evolving agricultural priorities, and ongoing adjustments within the tobacco farming sector while maintaining its importance in international tobacco leaf production.
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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 America Tobacco Production was 747.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 7.4% on 2023.
South America Tobacco Production moved from 1,017 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 747.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−26.5%), an average of −3.4% a year. The series high was 1,023 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 747.6 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 1,023 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 747.6 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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