Korean cosmetics a hit in China

Korean cosmetics products are expanding their presence in China on the back of the ‘Korean Wave’.

Korea is the second biggest source of cosmetics sold in Asia’s second-largest, but fastest growing beauty market, according to data out this week.

Out of $686.2 million worth of cosmetics China imported in the January-March period, South Korean products accounted for 19.1 per cent, or $131.2 million, coming next to France’s 33.6 per cent market share, according to the data compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

Japanese cosmetics took third with 15.3 per cent, followed by American brands with 11 per cent, KITA said.

Korea moved up two notches from last year’s spot as China’s imports of Korean cosmetics more than tripled in the first quarter from a year ago, while French and Japanese products surged 10.2 per cent and 37.2 per cent, respectively, in the same period.

Thanks to strong sales in China, total exports of Korean cosmetics nearly doubled to $582 million in the first three months of this year, which in turn improved their earnings.

Amore Pacific, the nation’s leading cosmetics firm, posted 320.7 billion won in operating profit in the first quarter, a 50 per cent hike from a year earlier, its regulatory filing showed.

Operating profits of Kormar, a smaller local rival, jumped 62.9 per cent over the period, far exceeding market expectations.

LS Cosmetics, which is well-known for face mask sheets, logged 17.5 billion won in operating profit, recording an over 100 times on-year surge. Its shares, which are traded on the secondary KOSDAQ market, jumped 338 per cent this year to become one of the top earners in the local stock market.

“Korean companies are showing stellar performance in the Chinese market based on the Korean Wave and competitive price ranges and brand lineups,” Na Eun-chae, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities, said.

“The outlook for Korean cosmetic makers is positive in the mid- and long- term.”