The French cosmetics industry is a powerful one, making a significant contribution to the country’s commercial competitiveness. To gain a better understanding of the industry’s economic situation and the challenges it faces in the months ahead, Cosmetic Valley commissioned Astérès to carry out a study. The results were unveiled at a press conference held in Paris on February 6, 2025.
Exports of French beauty products are one of the country’s main foreign trade assets. “With the exception of 2020, a year marked by the health crisis, both exports and the trade balance for cosmetics continue to grow: between 2015 and 2024 (cumulative November 2023 to October 2024), exports rose from 12 billion euros to 22.2 billion euros, and the trade balance from 9.3 billion euros to 17.2 billion euros,” comments Astérès. These figures only take into account exports of finished products.
Cosmetics are currently the second biggest contributor to the trade balance, behind aeronautics.
France is the world’s leading cosmetics exporter. With a 14.1% market share, France is ahead of the United States (8.2%) and Germany (7.4%).
However, it should be noted that over the past 20 years, France has lost market share to Asian countries. “In 2004, South Korea exported virtually no cosmetics, whereas by 2023, it would account for 4.5% of the world market. China and Japan have also increased their market share, albeit in less spectacular proportions. These market share gains have been achieved at the expense of France, the United States, Germany and Ireland,” analyses Astérès.
Market analysis
French products have a strong presence in China. …
