Complaint Filed by JTI Against Egyptian Tobacco Monopoly

BusinessJTI by 2FIRSTS.ai

Nov.21.2023

Complaint Filed by JTI Against Egyptian Tobacco Monopoly

Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has lodged a complaint against Egypt's leading tobacco producer, Eastern Company, accusing it of monopolizing the market.

According to Shafaqna news, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has filed a complaint with the Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA), alleging that the largest tobacco producer in Egypt, Eastern Company, holds a monopoly position in the market.

A senior insider has alleged that the complaint involves 日烟国际's brand, Golden Coast, which is in direct competition with low-priced cigarettes provided by the Oriental Corporation in the Egyptian market.

According to sources, Japan Tobacco International previously manufactured the brand at its factory in Turkey and imported and sold it in Egypt. However, the recent tax amendment imposes value-added tax on low-priced cigarettes, preventing Japan Tobacco International from importing the brand and limiting its sales to local production.

Over the past year, the Egyptian cigarette market has witnessed several controversial events. This includes the issuance of new licenses to Eastern Company, the sole government-owned manufacturer, after several decades, as well as the sale of a 30% stake in the Eastern Company to a global investment holding company for 625 million dollars.

References:

[1] JTI accuses Eastern Company of monopoly in cigarette market

Also Read:

[1] JTI Greece Plans €3 Billion Investment in HTPs

[2] JTI Expands International Investments in HNB Tobacco Market

[3] JTI: Not in Disposable Game Yet, Exploring Opportunities in Nicotine Pouch

#Traditional tobacco #Market #Africa #Egypt #JTI

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

£600,000 of Illegal Goods Seized in West Yorkshire Raids Targeting Vape and Tobacco Laundering

Nearly £600,000 worth of illegal goods were seized in coordinated raids across West Yorkshire as part of Operation Machinize, a nationwide crackdown targeting cash-intensive businesses suspected of laundering money through mini-markets, vape shops, and barbershops.

Nov.12 by 2FIRSTS.ai

SKE’s Parent Company Yinghe Technology Reports 80% Drop in Q3 Net Profit, Revenue Up 22.85% Year-on-Year

Yinghe Technology (SZ: 300457), parent company of SKE, saw Q3 net profit plunge 80.3% to 31.06 million yuan, while revenue rose 22.85% to 2.52 billion yuan. The decline was mainly driven by higher costs and expenses.

Oct.28 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Call2Recycle Expands Vape Recycling in Canada, Bringing Cannabis Devices Into Quebec-Wide Program

Call2Recycle Canada, the country’s battery stewardship organization, is expanding its vape recycling program in Quebec to include cannabis vape devices, strengthening the safe recovery of embedded batteries and device materials. Backed by government bodies, producers and other stakeholders, the initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and create a scalable model for other Canadian provinces.

Dec.03 by 2FIRSTS.ai

California DOJ Outlines Next Steps for Unflavored Tobacco List; Enforcement to Target “Obviously Flavored” Products

The California DOJ issued Information Bulletin No. 2025-DLE-17 on November 10, 2025, providing an update on the state’s flavored tobacco enforcement. The Attorney General’s office is set to launch the Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) by December 31, 2025, identifying tobacco products without characterizing flavors that may legally be sold in California. Enforcement will continue to focus on “obviously flavored” products, while unregistered products remain subject to seizure and penalties.