The black market for cigarettes increased in January 2025 to 10.1% of total consumption, compared to 9.1% in November 2024, reads an analysis by Novel Research sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday.

According to the cited source, January’s level exceeds the annual average of 2024, of 9%, the highest in the last four years.

„For the first time, the region most affected by illegal trade is the west of the country, with 14.8% in January 2025, up by 3.5 percentage points (p.p.) compared to November 2024. Until now, the highest level of smuggling was recorded in the northeast, a region where the black market decreased sharply in January 2025, by 5.8 p.p. to 12.3%. Significant increases are recorded in the south, by 7.6 p.p. to 11.5% and in the center, by 3.6 p.p. to 3.6%. In terms of the origin of products on the black market, the largest share is held by Duty Free (35.2%) and Bulgaria with 32%. Moldova decreases significantly as a source, by 13.1 p.p. to 10.5%”, Marian Marcu, CEO of Novel Research, was quoted as saying in the press release.

In turn, Ileana Dumitru, Director of External Affairs of the South East Europe Area, BAT, emphasized that a predictable and balanced fiscal framework is essential to discourage the underground economy and provide stable income in the long term, and combating illicit trafficking in goods must remain a priority for the authorities, given the risks of this phenomenon for security and the economy.

On the other hand, Antonio Vencesla, Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications JTI Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria, emphasized that, at the beginning of an election year, the Novel survey records an increase in smuggling by one percentage point, and at a regional level a premiere is noted – the west of the country becomes the most affected by the black market.

Marcel Simion Mutescu, president of the Romanian Customs Authority (AVR), claims that the reduction of illegal cigarette trafficking at the border with the Republic of Moldova is an expected result as a result of the implementation by the Romanian Customs Authority of the project to secure the external border by equipping it with scanning equipment.

According to him, through these measures, the Romanian Customs Authority is following its permanent commitment to combating illegal activities that affect the state budget and to ensuring compliance with customs and fiscal legislation.

Tobacco companies, which are in the category of large taxpayers, annually transfer about 22 billion RON to the state budget, representing excise duties, VAT and other taxes and contributions, the cited source informs.

AGERPRES