South Korea’s Cosmetics Industry Achieves Record $3.1B Export Milestone
South Korea’s cosmetics industry has reached a historic milestone, with exports hitting a record $3.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking the highest quarterly total ever recorded.
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, exports surged 19% year-on-year, driven by exceptional growth in key markets. The United States emerged as the largest export destination, with shipments jumping 40.9% to $620 million, now accounting for nearly 20% of total exports.
Japan also showed strong performance with a 7.4% increase to $290 million, though China experienced a 9.6% decline to $470 million.
Skincare Products Lead the Way
Skincare products dominated the category, generating $2.43 billion in exports, followed by color cosmetics and personal cleansing products. The impressive growth solidifies South Korea’s position as a global K-beauty powerhouse, having already surpassed the United States to become the world’s second-largest cosmetics exporter behind France.
Future Expansion Plans
To support continued expansion, Korean authorities plan to strengthen regulatory cooperation globally and expand into emerging markets including Brazil, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Source: Global Cosmetics News