Why is this important
The increase from 0.3 kg to 321.8 tons is due to the launch of the Philip Morris IQOS line in Kazakhstan. Uzbekistan has become the main market for Kazakhstani sticks.
What happened
- Kazakhstan exported 321.8 tons of $9.7 million worth of sticks to Uzbekistan;
- Previously, 0.3 kg for 9 months of 2024, the increase is associated with the launch of Philip Morris IQOS in April 2025;
- Uzbekistan supplied 606.5 tons worth $17.4 million;
- Russia stopped exporting in 2023 after the departure of BAT.
Kazakhstan’s exports to Uzbekistan
- 321.8 tons worth $9.7 million: for January-September 2025.
- 82% of exports: Uzbekistan is the main buyer of Kazakhstani sticks.
- In 2022-2024 — insignificant volumes, in 2024 for 9 months 0.3 kg.
Import of Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan
- 606.5 tons for $17.4 million: for January-September 2025.
- 62% of imports: Uzbekistan is the largest supplier of sticks to Kazakhstan.
- Twice more than Kazakhstan exports to Uzbekistan (606.5 vs. 321.8 tons).
Context
Market analysts note that the emergence of local production capacities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan forms a new regional center for the circulation of sticks and intensifies competition between IQOS and Glo.
Since 2022, the EAEU has separated sticks into a separate category, but early years’ data have been distorted by re-export. With BAT leaving Russia in 2023, deliveries to Kazakhstan plummeted, opening a niche for Uzbek manufacturers.
