In the first eight months of 2022 alone, Brazilian tobacco exports have reached a volume of 349.3 thousand tonnes. The number is 14.8% higher than that recorded in the same period last year.
In foreign exchange, however, the tobacco export business generated US$ 1.3 billion, a figure 44.6% higher than the revenue in the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Economy.
Although the analysis by the consultancy Deloitte – which develops annual estimates based on data on the overseas trade of tobacco – indican outcometcome very close to the 464,400 tonnes transported in 2021, the Interstate Tobacco Industry Union (Sinditabaco) is more optimistic. Their study showed revenues increased by 6% to 10%, reaching US$ 1.6 billion in December.
“The survey presents conservative results, considering the logistical issues the entire world has been experiencing. BasedHowever, based on the data we have through August, we anticipate outperforming the survey’s projections in both volume and money terms,” assesses SindiTabaco’s president Iro Schünke.
Belgium (US$360 million) was the most prominent importer in August 2022, followed by China (US$248 million), the United States (US$103 million), and Indonesia (US$70 million).
Tobacco now accounts for 0.61% of total Brazilian exports in 2022. It also accounts for 8.11% of exports from Rio Grande do Sul, the largest producer and exporter of the product, and 3.55% of exports from the South region. Until the end of August, tobacco represented 2.99% of the Brazilian trade balance, and 23.92% of Rio Grande do Sul’s transactions.
In the 2021-2022 harvest, 560.1 thousand tonnes of tobacco were produced in the country, 10.9% lower than the previous period, according to the Tobacco Growers Association of Brazil (Afubra). The reduction is the effect of a 9.8% reduction in the planted area, which went from 273.3 thousand hectares to 246.5 thousand hectares.
Source: Jornal do Comércio
