Lower over the period
UAE Tobacco Production moved from 0.306 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 0.229 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−25%), an average of −3.1% a year. The series high was 0.350 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 0.200 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What UAE Tobacco Production shows
UAE Tobacco Production was 0.229 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 3.7% on 2023. UAE Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 experienced fluctuations throughout the decade, reflecting the country’s limited agricultural capacity, climatic challenges, and small-scale tobacco cultivation activities. The UAE recorded tobacco production of 305.69 tonnes in 2015, which increased slightly to 315.25 tonnes in 2016.
A 42.8% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2019) is 0.150 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +60% in 2020.
Ranks 29 of 31 countries covered
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 29 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
UAE Tobacco Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0.229 | −3.7% |
| 2023 | 0.238 | −2.6% |
| 2022 | 0.244 | −30.1% |
| 2021Peak | 0.350 | +9.3% |
| 2020 | 0.320 | +60% |
| 2019 Trough | 0.200 | −9.1% |
| 2018 | 0.220 | −28.8% |
| 2017 | 0.309 | −2% |
| 2016 | 0.315 | +3.1% |
| 2015 | 0.306 | — |
Regional context
How UAE compares in Asia
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. UAE is highlighted.
1China2,256
2India727.2
3Indonesia353.4
4Pakistan185
5Turkey108
6Thailand66.29
7Philippines55.35
12UAE0.229
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
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.
About this indicator
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 marginally to 308.81 tonnes in 2017 before decreasing significantly to 220 tonnes in 2018. In 2019, tobacco production reached 200 tonnes, followed by a strong recovery in 2020 with output increasing to 320 tonnes. Production continued rising in 2021, reaching the highest level of the period at 349.76 tonnes. However, production declined afterward, recording 244.32 tonnes in 2022, 238.03 tonnes in 2023, and 229.29 tonnes in 2024. The overall trend reflects variations rather than a consistent increase or decline in domestic tobacco production. Tobacco cultivation in the UAE remains limited due to desert climatic conditions, restricted agricultural land availability, water scarcity, and the country’s focus on other economic sectors. Unlike major tobacco-producing nations, the UAE does not have a large-scale tobacco farming industry and primarily depends on imports to meet domestic tobacco demand. Local production activities are relatively small and specialized, with output influenced by environmental conditions and agricultural feasibility. The tobacco sector in the UAE is more strongly associated with processing, trade, and distribution rather than primary cultivation. Changes in production levels between 2015 and 2024 reflect adjustments in limited cultivation activities and resource availability. Despite its small contribution to global tobacco production, the UAE continues to maintain tobacco-related commercial activities through its broader supply chain. The production trend highlights the challenges of agricultural expansion in arid regions and demonstrates the limited role of tobacco farming within the UAE’s overall agricultural economy.
- Indicator
- Tobacco Production
- Country
- UAE
- Region
- Asia
- Unit
- Thousand Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2024, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is UAE 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.
What was UAE Tobacco Production in 2024?
UAE Tobacco Production was 0.229 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 3.7% on 2023.
How has UAE Tobacco Production changed between 2015 and 2024?
UAE Tobacco Production moved from 0.306 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 0.229 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−25%), an average of −3.1% a year. The series high was 0.350 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the low 0.200 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
Which year had the highest and lowest UAE Tobacco Production?
The highest value was 0.350 Thousand Tonnes in 2021 and the lowest was 0.200 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
What does the UAE Tobacco Production data include and exclude?
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.
Where does the UAE Tobacco Production data come from?
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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