Top 10 Largest Tobacco-Producing Countries in 2025: India Ranks Among the Top 3

Tobacco continues to be one of the most pressing public health threats, claiming more than eight million lives each year, according to the Global Burden of Disease study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Out of these, over seven million deaths are due to direct tobacco use, while the rest are attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.

Yet, despite its well-known health impacts, the tobacco farming industry remains robust, especially in countries with large agricultural sectors and high domestic or export demand.

Global Production: Over 5.8 Million Tonnes in 2022

As per Statista, global tobacco production was estimated at 5.8 million metric tonnes in 2022. China, the largest producer, accounted for more than one-third of the world’s total output. Interestingly, despite the scale of production, smoking habits in China are reportedly occasional — about 42 percent of respondents in a Statista Consumer Insights survey noted that they smoke only occasionally.

The contrast between high production and moderate consumption also appears in several countries such as Germany, Spain, and the United States, pointing to tobacco’s economic value, particularly in exports.

World’s Top 10 Tobacco-Producing Countries (2023 Data)

According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAOSTAT), the following are the top 10 producers of unmanufactured tobacco as of 2023:

India: Second-largest producer and Consumer of Tobacco

Production Volume and Global Role

India ranks second in the world with an annual production of over 769,000 tonnes of unmanufactured tobacco. The country plays a dual role as both a major producer and consumer, positioning it uniquely in global tobacco economics.

Domestic Consumption and Public Health Impact

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable death in India, contributing to nearly 1.35 million deaths annually. The country’s tobacco consumption patterns are diverse and deeply rooted in cultural and regional preferences.

The most common form of consumption is smokeless tobacco, such as:

• Khaini
• Gutkha
• Betel quid (paan)

These products are not only widely accessible but also affordable, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

Urban Smoking Habits in India

A Statista Consumer Insights survey (January–December 2023) found that around 36 percent of urban Indian respondents admitted to smoking cigarettes at least occasionally. This data underscores a rising trend of cigarette smoking in urban India, even as smokeless tobacco dominates rural markets.

Global Awareness and the WHO’s 2025 Campaign

To tackle the ongoing threat of tobacco consumption, the World Health Organisation marks World No Tobacco Day each year on May 31. The theme for 2025 is: “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”

This year’s message urges governments worldwide to implement stricter controls, especially on youth-targeted marketing, to reduce addiction rates among the next generation.