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.
Zambia Tobacco Production was 20.77 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 36% on 2023. Zambia Tobacco Production from 2015 to 2024 experienced noticeable fluctuations throughout the decade, influenced by climatic conditions, agricultural productivity, farming practices, and changes in international tobacco demand. Zambia recorded tobacco production of 26.894 thousand tonnes in 2015, followed by a decline to 19.017 thousand tonnes in 2016.
Zambia Tobacco Production moved from 26.89 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 20.77 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−22.8%), an average of −2.8% a year. The series high was 53.94 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 15.81 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The gap between the series high (2020) and low (2019) is 38.12 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +241.1% in 2020.
Among the 31 countries in this dataset, Zambia ranks 18 for 2024, behind China (2,256 Thousand Tonnes) and India (727.2 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.3% 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 | 20.77 | −36% |
| 2023 | 32.45 | +40.2% |
| 2022 | 23.14 | −33.1% |
| 2021 | 34.60 | −35.9% |
| 2020Peak | 53.94 | +241.1% |
| 2019 Trough | 15.81 | −36.5% |
| 2018 | 24.89 | +21.5% |
| 2017 | 20.50 | +7.8% |
| 2016 | 19.02 | −29.3% |
| 2015 | 26.89 | — |
Regional context
Tobacco Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. Zambia 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 increased slightly in 2017 to 20.49567 thousand tonnes and continued improving in 2018, reaching 24.894 thousand tonnes. In 2019, tobacco production declined to 15.81444 thousand tonnes, representing one of the lowest production levels during the period. However, output increased significantly in 2020, reaching 53.93727 thousand tonnes, before decreasing to 34.59901 thousand tonnes in 2021. Production declined further to 23.14442 thousand tonnes in 2022, recovered to 32.44932 thousand tonnes in 2023, and decreased again to 20.76803 thousand tonnes in 2024. The production trend highlights the variability of Zambia’s tobacco sector, which is strongly influenced by weather conditions, farm productivity, and global market dynamics. Tobacco remains one of Zambia’s important agricultural export commodities, providing income opportunities for smallholder farmers and contributing to rural economic activity. The country mainly produces tobacco varieties for export markets, with cultivation concentrated among farming communities that depend on seasonal agricultural cycles. However, challenges such as rainfall variability, input costs, limited access to advanced farming technologies, and international tobacco regulations have affected production consistency. Efforts to improve farming techniques, increase productivity, and support sustainable agricultural practices have influenced production outcomes. Despite fluctuations, Zambia continues to maintain a significant position within Africa’s tobacco-producing landscape. The 2015–2024 production data reflects both the opportunities and challenges faced by Zambia’s tobacco industry as it adapts to changing global agricultural and market conditions.
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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.
Zambia Tobacco Production was 20.77 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, down 36% on 2023.
Zambia Tobacco Production moved from 26.89 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 20.77 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−22.8%), an average of −2.8% a year. The series high was 53.94 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the low 15.81 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
The highest value was 53.94 Thousand Tonnes in 2020 and the lowest was 15.81 Thousand Tonnes in 2019.
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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