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- October 13, 202617°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.34+0.24%
- EUR55.21-0.01%
- GOLD4,186.40-0.10%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN81,358-0.48%
- October 13, 202617°
Türkiye's cosmetics exports reach $1.56 billion in first half
Türkiye's cosmetics and washing preparations exports reached $1.563 billion in the first half of 2026, spanning more than 100 countries. Cosmetics exports rose 8.9% year on year during the same period to reach $1.178 billion.
The chemicals and chemical products sector achieved the highest first-half export performance in its history, with exports worth $17.1 billion in the first half of 2026. During the same period, exports of cosmetics and washing preparations reached $1.563 billion across more than 100 countries.
Cosmetics exports rose 8.9% compared with the same period last year, reaching $1.178 billion. The result demonstrated the cosmetics sector's strong contribution to the export performance of the chemical industry.
Growth across different cosmetics product groups
In the first six months of the year, perfume exports increased by 18.1%, exports of odoriferous substances used in industry rose by 15.4%, and exports of beauty, makeup and skincare products grew by 12.3%.
Reaching a broad geography, particularly Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa, indicated that the sector has the production capacity to respond to demand in different markets.
The understanding of competition is changing
Necdet Mot, head of the Cosmetics Committee at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, said that the Turkish cosmetics sector increased its presence in global markets during the first six months of 2026 and that exports grew by approximately 9% compared with the same period last year.
Mot said Türkiye exports cosmetics products to more than 100 countries, adding that its market share in Europe and North America, as well as in the Middle East, the Balkans and Central Asia, continues to grow.
Mot said the Turkish cosmetics sector was moving from a model focused solely on production to one that expands abroad through branding, adding that competition is now shaped not only by affordable prices but also by quality, brand perception, flexible production and research and development capacity.
Mot said Turkish products are no longer viewed in global markets merely as an economical option, but have become strategic business partners offering innovation that meets high standards.
Domestic brands are gaining market share
Mot said the sector also had a positive outlook for the second half of the year, adding that a new export record was expected by year-end if the approximately 9% growth momentum recorded in the first half continued.
According to Mot, the increase in exports is also supporting production and sales in the domestic market. Demand from foreign markets is helping companies increase their production capacity and benefit from economies of scale.
Mot said growth in cosmetics and personal care spending had continued despite global and domestic macroeconomic fluctuations, adding that a structural shift in Türkiye's domestic market was taking place in favor of local production and domestic brands.
Export growth supports women's employment
Mot said growth in the cosmetics and personal care sector was also reflected in women's employment, noting that women accounted for more than 40% of founders or senior executives at ventures, particularly in natural ingredients, dermocosmetics and clean beauty. Mot said this exceeded the approximately 36% cited as the global average.
Mot said export-oriented growth was creating a need for new and qualified employees, adding that this was particularly supporting women's employment. He said new employment opportunities were emerging in various fields, including packaging, laboratories, e-commerce exports and brand management.
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