By Abdul Rahman Al-Misbahi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The imports of tobacco had dropped by 43.78 percent in 2018 to reach SR1.76 billion from SR3.14 billion in 2017, according to official statistical reports.

The weight of the imported tobacco dropped by about 27.27 percent to stand at 32,000 ton (about 88 ton daily) from 44,000 ton in 2017 registering a decrease of about 12,000 ton.

The total weight of the imported tobacco in two years decreased by about 48.39 percent from 62,000 ton in 2016 when its value was SR4.85 billion.

The report said the drop in the imports of the tobacco was caused by a drop in the consumption of cigarettes.

Turkey represents the top country from which the Kingdom imports tobacco and cigarettes.

The Kingdom imported 12,617 ton of tobacco from Turkey last year worth SR903.6 million.

The second country from which the Kingdom imports cigarettes is Germany which exported 6,217 ton to the Kingdom at the amount of SR514,59 million representing about 31.44 percent of the total imports.

For the Muasil (tobacco for Shisha), the Kingdom’s main exporter was Egypt from where the imports reached SR49 million followed by the United Arab Emirates from where the Kingdom's imports were SR37.36 million.