Iraq's tobacco and nicotine imports drop sharply in 2025

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's imports of tobacco and nicotine products fell to $292.1 million in 2025, down sharply from $1.56 billion the previous year, according to International Trade Centre data. Yearly import figures for the same category stood at $1.18 billion in 2021, $1.54 billion in 2022, $1.27 billion in 2023 and $1.56 billion in 2024, before the steep decline recorded for 2025. By product group, cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products accounted for the largest share in 2025 at $141.8 million, compared with $1.18 billion in 2024. Imports of processed tobacco and substitutes fell to $117.6 million from $281.7 million a year earlier. Unprocessed tobacco and residues totaled $16.7 million, while alternative products including e-cigarettes and items containing tobacco or nicotine came to $16 million. The data show declines across all major tobacco and nicotine categories in 2025, though no official explanation was provided for the drop.