EU manufacturing of cigars and cigarillos mainly consists of medium-size family-owned companies located throughout Europe. With 27 manufacturing plants, Europe remains a world-leading exporter of cigars and cigarillos, exporting more than 1372 tons worth over 257 million euros (FOB) in 2022.

As such, a substantial part of European manufacturers’ cigar and cigarillo production is typically made from mainly fermented, dark air-cured tobacco, blended from different countries of origin, different harvests and different tobacco varieties grown in a limited number of countries, such as Indonesia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Italy and the United States of America. The objective of this study was to quantify the amount of imported raw tobacco into Europe and analyse the upcoming European legislation impeding the free flow of imports. The method of calculation involved the collection and aggregation of data of tobacco purchased by ECMA members meant for manufacturing.

Already buying the largest share of European dark fire and fire-cured tobacco leaf, the lack of sufficient supply of high-quality tobacco leaf for cigar filler and cigar wrapper grown in Europe makes it compulsory for European manufacturers to import between 70 to 80 % of their supply in raw tobacco.

It is in this context that European manufacturers attribute a capital importance to having appropriate rule of origin and import legislation. With legislative measures to avoid or minimise the placing of products associated with deforestation, due diligence requirements, import tolerances and mirror clauses incorporated in free trade agreements, the European legislative framework has seriously increased the risk of disruption in the supply of cigar leaves meant for European manufacturing of cigars and cigarillos.

Becoming a critical raw material, special emphasis should be placed on how information from the sustainable and responsible cigar tobacco supply chain can be used to allow for a smooth international flow of cigar tobacco leaves.