The shadow market for cigarettes in Ukraine
The shadow market for cigarettes in Ukraine demonstrates positive trends in the fight against illegal trade. According to recent data, the share of illegal cigarette circulation in July 2025 was 15.4%, which is a decrease compared to 16.2% in April 2025. This indicates the effectiveness of measures aimed at strengthening control and combating smuggling.
In particular, the share of smuggling has decreased from 1.6% to 1.4%. During the 11 months of 2025, law enforcement agencies seized 1.61 million cigarettes worth 9.1 million hryvnias. This data underscores the state's efforts in combating the illegal market for excise goods.
The importance of fighting smuggling
It should be noted that in 2023, Ukraine lost over 30 billion hryvnias due to smuggling of alcohol and tobacco. This highlights the importance of continuing the fight against illegal circulation to protect the country's economy. As part of these measures, the eExcise system has been implemented to combat the illegal market for excise goods.
Thus, the reduction in the share of illegal cigarette trade is a positive sign indicating the effectiveness of the measures taken and the need for further work in this direction.
The decrease in the share of illegal cigarette circulation in Ukraine may indicate an improvement in the situation in the market for excise goods, which in turn will affect public finances and the health of the population. Continuation of the fight against smuggling and the introduction of new technologies, such as eExcise, will contribute to the reduction of the shadow economy and improve control over the legal circulation of goods. It is important for the state to continue supporting the efforts of law enforcement agencies in this area.