Why Are Cigarette Prices in Egypt So High? Uncovering the Monopoly Crisis

The Egyptian market witnessed a significant and unjustified rise in the prices of cigarettes during the past few days, as citizens wondered about the reasons for this insane rise, despite the fact that no official decision was issued by the producing company stating any increase in prices.

High cigarette prices

At a time when Philip Morris announced the official prices of cigarettes in the Egyptian market, as the prices of some products such as Merritt, Marlboro, LM cigarettes and others increased, the prices in the market witnessed a significant increase by merchants.

This increase reached 6 pounds over the real price of the can in some cases, which indicates the existence of an artificial crisis by merchants for the sake of monopoly.

This price hike has not been officially announced by the cigarette companies, which makes this matter seem like a monopoly crisis, as the price of cigarettes and their date of production can be known through a barcode on the cigarette packet, according to Ibrahim Imbaby, head of the Cigarette Division of the Federation of Industries.

Official cigarette prices

According to the old prices, the last price revealed by Philip Morris was Thursday, April 6, 2023 in the Egyptian market, as Merritt of all kinds rose to 59 pounds, Marlboro of all kinds to record 54 pounds, Marlboro of all kinds to 44 pounds, and LM cigarettes of all kinds to 39 pounds.

At the same time, the Eastern Tobacco Company “Eastern Company” raised the prices of all the company’s cigarette products to the consumer, so that the prices of cigarettes, in the new increase that entered into force in the local markets, ranged between two and three pounds in the price of one pack of cigarettes, according to the brand.

The final prices for Cleopatra King Size cigarettes are EGP 23, Soft Queen is EGP 24, Boston is $24, Box is $24 and Super is $24.

Molasses products prices

The price lists for molasses products issued last March, Salloum and Cut, included 9 pounds for the consumer for 70 grams of bacon, 15 pounds for 120 grams, and 55 pounds for 500 grams. The price of Baku One Foreo honey was 85 pounds for 250 grams.