International trade flows (exports and imports) of the Brazilian personal hygiene, perfumery and cosmetics industry reached USD 1.4 billion in 2021, compared to USD 1.2 billion in 2020, a year-on-year increase of 16.2%.

Trade surplus

Exports reached $700 million in 2021, an increase of 14.9% over the previous year (USD 609.3 million). The Brazilian industry exports its products to 173 countries, mainly to its neighbours in Latin America, with Argentina being the first buyer. However, the Brazilian Association of Personal Hygiene, Perfumery and Cosmetics Industries (ABIHPEC) highlights the fast-pace growth of exports to Chile and Mexico.

Over the period January to December 2021, imports of the hygiene-cosmetics sector reached 688.4 million US dollars, an increase of 17.5% compared to the same period of the previous year (585.9 million US dollars). dollars). France and China topped the list of the 75 countries supplying for the Brazilian personal hygiene and cosmetics market.

In the end, the sector’s trade balance recorded a surplus for the second consecutive year, after ten years of deficit. Indeed, December was a decisive month for the sector, thanks to a surplus of 11.6 million US dollars.

"The end of the year was a good surprise: indeed, the trade balance benefited from the increase in exports from August and the month of December was decisive to reach a final trade surplus in the sector," commented João Carlos Basilio, Executive President of ABIHPEC.

The hair category leads Brazilian exports

Hair products have been the leading category of Brazilian cosmetics exports for several years. Next, soaps and oral hygiene products.

However, among the most imported products in Brazil are high value-added items, such as skin care, sun protection products and tanning products, followed by perfumes, as well as oral hygiene products.

According to ABIHPEC, the presence of the oral hygiene category at the top of both exports and imports can be explained by significant imports of toothbrushes, and by exports of other items in the category, in particular toothpaste.