SEOUL - South Korea's cosmetics exports hit a record high last year, driven by the global popularity of Korean culture and the country's efforts to diversify export markets, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing data released on Friday.
Outbound shipments of Korean beauty products rose 12.3 per cent from a year earlier to a record US$11.43 billion in 2025, according to the data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
By country, exports to the United States (US) rose 15.1 per cent on-year to US$2.19 billion in 2025, while shipments to China fell 19.2 per cent to US$2.01 billion.
Exports to the US have been on a steady rise, making it the No. 1 destination for South Korean cosmetics for the first time ever last year.
Shipments to Japan increased 5 per cent to US$1.09 billion in 2025, and those to Hong Kong jumped 21.6 per cent to US$705 million.
The number of countries importing South Korean cosmetics reached 202 in 2025, up from 172 in 2024. Shipments to Europe, the Middle East, Southwest Asia and Latin America continued to grow, while the shares going to the US and China have declined, the ministry said.
By product category, skin care products, such as moisturisers, rose 11.6 per cent on-year to US$8.54 billion.
Colour cosmetics shipments climbed 12 per cent to US$1.51 billion, while body cleansing products jumped 27.3 per cent to US$590 million.
Fragrance exports surged 46.2 per cent to US$60 million in 2025, the data showed. - BERNAMA-YONHAP