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.
U.S. Tobacco Production was 147.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 24.1% on 2023. U.S. Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 experienced a significant downward trend, reflecting changes in agricultural practices, declining tobacco consumption, reduced farming participation, and evolving market conditions.
U.S. Tobacco Production moved from 326.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 147.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−54.8%), an average of −8.4% a year. The series high was 326.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 147.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2024) is 178.7 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −24.9% in 2018.
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 7 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 2.4% 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 | 147.5 | −24.1% |
| 2023 | 194.5 | −2.1% |
| 2022 | 198.6 | −4.1% |
| 2021 | 207 | +22.4% |
| 2020 | 169.1 | −20.3% |
| 2019 | 212.3 | −12.2% |
| 2018 | 241.9 | −24.9% |
| 2017 | 322.1 | +13% |
| 2016 | 285.2 | −12.6% |
| 2015Peak | 326.2 | — |
Regional context
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. U.S. 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.
In 2015, the United States produced 326.21 thousand tonnes of tobacco, marking the highest production level during the reviewed period. Production remained strong in 2016 at 285.18 thousand tonnes and increased again to 322.12 thousand tonnes in 2017, supported by established cultivation systems and continued demand for tobacco leaves. However, production declined sharply from 2018 onward, reaching 241.87 thousand tonnes in 2018, followed by 212.26 thousand tonnes in 2019 and 169.13 thousand tonnes in 2020. A temporary recovery was observed in 2021, when production increased to 207.03 thousand tonnes, but output continued to decrease gradually, recording 198.57 thousand tonnes in 2022, 194.48 thousand tonnes in 2023, and 147.52 thousand tonnes in 2024. The overall reduction indicates a structural transformation within the U.S. tobacco farming sector, where producers have shifted toward alternative crops due to changing economic conditions and regulatory pressures. The United States remains a major global producer of premium tobacco varieties, especially flue-cured and burley tobacco, which are widely cultivated in states such as North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia. These regions have developed specialized farming systems, advanced crop management techniques, and efficient processing networks supporting the tobacco industry. Although total production has declined, the U.S. continues to play an important role in global tobacco supply chains through high-quality leaf production and technological advancements in cultivation. The 2015–2024 trend highlights a transition from large-scale tobacco output toward a more specialized and regulated production model focused on efficiency, quality, and market sustainability.
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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.
U.S. Tobacco Production was 147.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 24.1% on 2023.
U.S. Tobacco Production moved from 326.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 147.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−54.8%), an average of −8.4% a year. The series high was 326.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the low 147.5 Thousand Tonnes in 2024.
The highest value was 326.2 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 147.5 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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