10 Countries that Export the Most Tobacco in the World

7. Malawi

Exported value: 495,121

In the poorest country in the world, Malawi, production of tobacco dates back to the beginning of 20th century. The country first became an important player on the global market in the 1970s when commodity production was around 29,000 tons. In the 2000s, the quantity of grown tobacco increased to 160,000 tons and today tobacco export accounts for 60 percent of earnings made from international shipments. At the same time the industry is the largest employer with almost half a million workers. Like in previously mentioned Tanzania, economic benefits drawn from tobacco production and sale come at great costs. Millions of trees have been cut and used for tobacco drying which has led to rapid deforestation. At the same time, the number of tobacco-related deaths has been rising. The government refuses to say loudly and clearly that tobacco consumption has harmful effects and claims instead that smoking is no more dangerous than drinking or eating sugar.