During what has been a harsh year, marked by a global health and economic crisis, France exported more than EUR 15.7 billion of cosmetic products, a decrease of 11.8% compared to 2019, according to figures released Friday by the French Federation of the beauty industry (FEBEA).
“Despite the troubled context, French cosmetics now hold 24% of the world market share. The ‘Made in France’ label remains an essential asset for the sector and for our economy as a whole,” said Patrick O’Quin, president of FEBEA.
Historical fall
According to French customs, this is the first decline in French exports of perfumes and cosmetics since 2009, and only the second in the last 20 years.
This drop is to be compared with that of exports from other French manufacturing sectors, all on a downward trend in 2020, with the exception of pharmaceutical products (+ 4.7%).
China becomes the number one market for French cosmetics
On the other hand, exports of French cosmetics to China grew by nearly 20.7% in 2020. Even if the pace is slowing down compared to 2019 (+48%), this sharp increase marks the growing importance of the country for the French perfume and cosmetics industry. Indeed, the Asian giant is now the number one market for the French cosmetics industry, ahead of Germany and the United States.
For instance, China is “by far the leading buyer of French lipsticks, with more than one in four exported the country,” said the FEBEA. Skin care and even face makeup are “very popular with Chinese consumers,” added the trade organisation.
Sales of soaps on the rise
During this very atypical year, sales of soaps performed very well, all over the world with an increase of 11.3% in value compared to 2019. It is in Asia that this progression was the strongest (+22%), ahead of Europe (+19%).
On the other hand, French exports of perfumes fell by 16% and those of eau de toilette fell by 27.9% over the year, due in particular to a reduced number of launches, but also to the halt to travel retail.
