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Exports of K-beauty products reach an all-time high in Q1: Data

Published: 20 Apr. 2026, 16:29 Updated: 20 Apr. 2026, 16:56

Customers browse products at an Olive Young store in Seoul on Nov. 24, 2025. [YONHAP]

Korea's cosmetics exports reached a record high in the first quarter of this year, firmly establishing itself as a key export driver, the Ministry of Finance and Economy announced on Monday.

Outbound shipments of Korean beauty products rose 19 percent from a year earlier to a record $3.1 billion during the January to March period, according to the Finance Ministry, which cited data compiled by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

“The K-beauty industry's cosmetics exports are maintaining strong growth this year and have become one of the country's leading export drivers,” the Finance Ministry said.

In an effort to assess on-site conditions within the K-beauty industry and hear about business difficulties, officials from the Finance Ministry inspected a cosmetics manufacturing facility on Monday.

During the inspection, they listened to industry concerns over global supply chain uncertainties stemming from the Iran war and pledged to strengthen government support so that the K-beauty sector can continue growing as a key export engine.

Yonhap