In November 2024, China’s e-cigarette export industry reported a total export value of $930 million, showcasing a month-on-month growth of 4.7%. Despite this growth, the year-on-year comparison reflected a slight dip of 1.2%. The export volume reached approximately 22,000 tons, a 6.37% month-on-month increase and a modest 0.37% year-on-year rise.
Visual Insights
This chart highlights the contribution of key markets (e.g., the U.S., UK, Germany, Southeast Asia, and emerging regions) to the total export value.
This visualization compares month-on-month and year-on-year growth rates for major and emerging markets.
A detailed breakdown of export categories, focusing on vaporization devices versus nicotine-containing products.
Key Markets and Performance Trends
Top 5 Export Destinations
- United States: Leading the global market, the U.S. imported $327 million worth of Chinese e-cigarettes, accounting for 35.20% of the total. The U.S. market experienced robust growth with a 16.69% month-on-month increase and a significant 22.53% year-on-year rise.
- United Kingdom: The UK ranked second with an import value of $88.05 million. However, exports to the UK saw declines of 22.57% month-on-month and 7.56% year-on-year.
- Germany: With $64.96 million in imports, Germany overtook South Korea to secure the third spot. It displayed strong growth, increasing 14.58% month-on-month and 43.44% year-on-year, making it the largest e-cigarette market in the European Union.
- South Korea: At $61.2 million, South Korea’s imports grew 6.96% month-on-month but dropped 19.52% year-on-year.
- Malaysia: The fifth-largest market, Malaysia, imported $31.5 million worth of e-cigarettes. While year-on-year growth was 16.01%, the month-on-month figure dropped by 16.84%.
Emerging Regional Trends
- North America (U.S. & Canada): North America remains a primary market for e-cigarette exports. Canada showed significant month-on-month growth of 24.86% and a year-on-year increase of 7.4%, with a total import value of $28.87 million.
- Europe: While Germany surged, the UK and the Netherlands faced declines. The Netherlands’ imports dropped 25.47% month-on-month and 31.66% year-on-year.
- Southeast Asia: This region showed mixed trends. Malaysia experienced a decline, but Indonesia saw year-on-year growth of 249.74% despite a 6.59% month-on-month dip.
- Middle East: The UAE maintained consistent double-digit year-on-year growth exceeding 50%, reinforcing its status as a key market.
Rising Demand in Non-Traditional Markets
Central and Eastern Europe
- Romania: Exports totaled $3.82 million, with a 20.94% month-on-month and 120.59% year-on-year increase.
- Serbia: Despite a 7.80% month-on-month decline, Serbia’s year-on-year growth surged by 548.97%.
- Austria: Recorded $3.17 million in exports, growing 21.55% month-on-month and 373.95% year-on-year.
Latin America
- Mexico: The standout performer with $1.97 million in exports, growing 158.56% month-on-month and 546.50% year-on-year.
- Panama: Showed exceptional growth with $1.71 million in exports, a 65.53% month-on-month and 882.12% year-on-year increase.
Other Regions
- Papua New Guinea: Although small in volume, its exports saw an astronomical year-on-year growth of 54,833.81%, highlighting its emerging importance.
- Greece: Exports reached $2.82 million, showing steady growth.
- Israel: Recorded $1.77 million in exports, with a 125.03% year-on-year increase.
Export Composition and Pricing
- Product Categories: “E-cigarettes and similar personal vaporization devices” accounted for 24.7% of the total exports, while nicotine-containing products represented 75.3%.
- Pricing: The average export price stood at $41.33 per kilogram, with e-cigarette devices averaging $4.4 per unit, reflecting a 1.57% decline month-on-month and year-on-year.
Conclusion
China’s e-cigarette export industry is undergoing dynamic shifts. Traditional markets like the U.S. and Germany continue to thrive, while emerging regions such as Central Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East are witnessing significant growth. Businesses in the e-cigarette sector should adapt strategies to capitalize on these evolving trends, ensuring a robust presence in both established and nascent markets.
