Low Dollar Helps Fuel Sharp Increase in Tobacco Imports
Israel's cigarette imports surged 20.5% in March 2026, with the value of all tobacco imports rising 53%, driven by a weaker dollar and travel bans.
Jerusalem, 16 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Tax Authority reported that cigarette imports increased by 20.5% in March 2026. The value of imports increased even more, by 36.5%.
Two main reasons for the increase were, explained the Tax Authority, apparently, a decline in the US Dollar exchange rate and the inability of Israelis to purchase cigarettes abroad during the war.
In the period January – March 2026, there was a more moderate increase in quantity by 6.8% compared to January – March 2025 and a 16.4% increase in the value of imports.
The value of other tobacco imports, which includes smoking tobacco, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigars, and heating tobacco units, increased by 53% in March 2026 compared to March 2025.
