Egypt's tobacco exports reach $35.8 mln Jan-Apr

Egypt's tobacco exports during the period included $32.6 million in hookah tobacco and $114,000 in cigar exports.

In 2022, Egypt's tobacco exports totalled $104.5 million, CAPMAS' data showed.

Egypt is currently facing speculative disruption in the local cigarette market with many brands’ products absent or overpriced.

On Monday, Eastern Company, the state-owned largest producer of tobacco in Egypt, denied raising cigarette prices, including the price of Cleopatra cigarettes, its main brand, which are officially priced at EGP 24 per 20-cigarette pack.

However, packs are being sold for up to EGP 50 in the local market.

The market is anticipating an increase in the tax on cigarettes in the new fiscal year 2023/2024 which started on 1 July.

Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait had called for an amendment to taxes on tobacco in the 2023-24 budget to increase its tax revenue from EGP 81 billion to EGP 87 billion.

In July, the head of the Division of Tobacco and Cigarettes in the Federation of Egyptian Industries told Ahram Gate that Philip Morris International has raised prices of some cigarette brands including Marlboro, L&M, and Merit between EGP 3-5.