Cosmetics Exports on the Rise

Cosmetics Exports Rising in Western Mediterranean Region. The Western Mediterranean Region, which includes Isparta with significant rose-oil potential in the global cosmetics industry, is seeing growing cosmetics exports. The region, where various aromatic plants including roses and lavender are cultivated, is making strong strides into the global cosmetics market. Rose oil, once considered indispensable solely for the world perfume industry, is now used in various cosmetics applications. Beyond roses, lavender also plays an active role in the region's cosmetics industry. With the Western Mediterranean, home to Isparta which holds 65 percent of global rose-oil production, cosmetics exports are expanding as product diversity increases in the sector. The region, which exported approximately USD 35 million worth of cosmetics to some 50 countries last year, aims to increase exports this year by entering new markets.

First sales to South Korea

Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Western Mediterranean Exporters Association (BAİB), told AA that as an association they conducted analysis work across the country to generate more foreign currency through cosmetics, which has high potential for the region. Çavuşoğlu stated that they had identified that no exports were being made to South Korea, one of the most ambitious cosmetics countries. "We conducted a commercial delegation visit to South Korea, one of the world's best countries in cosmetics, approximately 5 months ago. We saw results in a very short time. While we had no exports to South Korea last year, several of our companies have now started sales," he said. Noting that exports to South Korea totaled USD 271 thousand over a 4-month period, opening the doors of this market, Çavuşoğlu expressed that they want exports to continue increasing. Çavuşoğlu stated that they will also host a delegation from South Korea in Turkey, adding that in May they will bring together the South Korean delegation, particularly with companies in Isparta and Burdur, and arrange visits to production facilities. Çavuşoğlu continued: "Our work will not be limited to South Korea alone. We will also conduct commercial activities in strong markets like Singapore, Japan, and Australia, particularly in distant countries. Our region has high potential in cosmetics. Roses are at the forefront for us, and we are in a very good position with other medicinal aromatic oils as well. We want to further develop and market these better. Because we are one of the countries with the most of these products in the world, and we want to make the best use of this."  

Exports increased compared to previous year

Çavuşoğlu noted that from the region, in the chemicals sector which includes cosmetics, exports of approximately USD 73 million have been achieved since the beginning of the year with a 21.6 percent increase compared to the previous year, and that cosmetics have made a serious contribution to this figure. Stating that the highest exports in the chemicals sector go to Russia, France, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Iran, Çavuşoğlu said they want to increase both the number of countries where exports are made and the quantities through commercial delegations. Ümit Mirza Çavuşoğlu reported that the Supporting Development of International Competitiveness (UR-GE) projects implemented by the Ministry of Commerce also provide serious support to the region's exports.   Source