PHILIPPINES
TOBACCO IN THE PHILIPPINES
Brief contextualisation of the importance of Tobacco in the Philippines
ILOCOS
Region % of domestic tobacco productions it was the case in several countries, tobacco was introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish colonists. The commerce of the commodity was an important source of revenue for the colonial Government. Tobacco was, since the beginning, linked with the economic development of the country, as farmers who grew tobacco were given adequate payment for their production. The majority of the production was then, as it is now, a small-scale endeavor, with farmers working on small plots of land to grow the crop. Tobacco became part of the culture of the Filipinos, while the crop continued to be grown to satisfy the domestic demand for tobacco products. Government revenue from domestic tobacco product sales surpasses US$ 2.4 billion thus contributing generously to the national coffers. The illicit trade had a 13.1% share of the market in 2017. The crop continues to be preferred for its profitability and price stability, which enables growers to plan the future with less volatility.
Sources: Tobacco and Nicotine database, National Tobacco Administration, Tobacco Journal International, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and ITGA.
EXPORT PARTNERS
This section aims at identifying the most important commercial partners in terms of Value and Quantity (Source: Calculated from data from UN Comtrade)
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INDONESIA 21%
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BELGIUM 13%
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MYANMAR 12%
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA 8%
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 8%
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OTHERS 38%
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INDONESIA 21%
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BELGIUM 12%
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 10%
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MALAYSIA 8%
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA 8%
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OTHERS 41%