Tobacco exports grow 17,87% in the first four months of the year

Brazilian tobacco exports have shown better results in the first months of 2025, compared to 2024. According to statistical data released by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC/ComexStat), between January and April, shipments of the product totaled US$ 907,624 million, representing the best performance in the last decade for the first four months. The value represents a growth of 17,87% compared to the same period in 2024, when US$ 776,6 million were exported. In terms of volume, 133.484 tons left Brazilian ports between January and April, an increase of 4% compared to the same period in the previous year.

Looking at the first four months of the last 10 years, we can see the growth in foreign currency generated for Brazil. In 2016, shipments from January to April totaled US$507,3 million; in 2017, US$318,9 million; in 2018, US$597,9 million; and, in 2019, US$675,9 million. In 2020, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country exported US$434,7 million in tobacco products in the first four months. In 2021, the volume was US$500,4 million; in 2022, US$692,6 million; in 2023, US$767,5 million; in 2024, US$776,6 million; and this year, US$907,6 million.

Most of the foreign sales came from Rio Grande do Sul, the state that produces and exports the most tobacco. The product was the leader in exports from Rio Grande do Sul in the first four months of the year, with US$ 739,7 million in foreign currency. In second place was the pork, poultry and other small animals sector, with US$ 691,1 million, and in third place was cereals, with US$ 585,2 million. The amount collected from tobacco exported by the state of Rio Grande do Sul between January and April 2025 is 12,1% higher than in the same period in 2024.

According to the monthly reports released by the Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), in January tobacco was the most exported product, generating US$ 405,1 million. The second place in the first month of the year went to the item Food, with US$ 325,9 million in foreign currency. In February 2025, Rio Grande do Sul obtained US$ 131,7 million in foreign currency from tobacco, being the second item in exports, behind Food, which totaled US$ 418,4 million to the state. In March, tobacco generated US$ 122,4 million in exports to RS and, in April, US$ 143,2 million.

Valmor Thesing (pictured), president of the Interstate Tobacco Industry Union (SindiTabaco), points out that the sector is very important for the economy of the three states in the Southern Region, with the tobacco industry being responsible for more than 40 direct jobs and contributing approximately R$17 billion in annual taxes to the Brazilian government. The expectation is to end 2025 with US$3 billion in foreign currency from tobacco exports. The projection, based on research commissioned by the consulting firm Deloitte, is for growth of between 10,1% and 15% in exports compared to 2024.