Belize Tops Region in Tobacco Consumption and Cigarette Imports

Recent data for 2024 reveals Belize is becoming an increasingly significant country in the Latin American and Caribbean tobacco market, particularly in the consumption and import of cigarettes containing tobacco. According to IndexBox, a company that focuses on market research and data, has noted that while the broader regional market saw stable consumption and modest revenue and production shifts, Belize stood out with remarkable growth rates across several categories.  The report noted that Belize recorded an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in tobacco consumption from 2013 to 2024, indicating the most significant increase among major consuming countries in the region.  Perhaps most notably, Belize registered the highest per capita consumption of cigarettes containing tobacco in 2024, at an average of 50 units per person. This figure dwarfs regional counterparts like Chile with a 2.1 unit per person; Brazil at 1.9, Argentina at 1.8 units, and the world average of 1.5 units per person. Belize solidified its position as the largest importer of cigarettes containing tobacco in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. The country imported 26 billion units, accounting for nearly 42% of the region’s total imports.  In terms of import value, Belize’s imports reached $52 million, ranking among the top three in the region. However, its average import price was relatively low at $2 per thousand units, making it one of the lowest among major importers in 2024.